Shared from an article the Portsmouth Herald.
Tours of Nina and Pinta to take place June 12-17
KITTERY, Maine — The Nina and the Pinta, replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships, are coming to Kittery next month.
The vessels will arrive June 11 and will be docked at the Badgers Island Marina, 4 Island Ave. They will be open to the public from June 12-17 and are scheduled to depart in the early morning of June 18.
The Nina was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools. Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.” The Pinta was recently built in Brazil to accompany the Nina on all of her travels. She is a larger version of the archetypal caravel. Historians consider the caravel the space shuttle of the 15th century.
Both ships tour together as a new and enhanced sailing museum for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the caravel, a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world.
The public is invited to visit the ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for students, ages 5 to 16. Children age 4 and younger are free. The ships will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No reservations necessary.
Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule a 30-minute guided tour with a crew member should call (787) 672-2152 or e-mail columfnd1492@gmail.com. There is a group minimum of 15, no maximum and a charge of $5 per person.
For information, visit www.thenina.com.