In 1962 the voyage of Columbus from Spain to San Salvador was recreated by the La Nina II – a faithful, 42-foot replica of the smallest vessel in the fleet of Columbus. The replica was assembled from historical documents.
Unlike the original voyage, which was undertaken in 33 days, the La Nina II took 77 days for the crossing. The crew faced severe storms which severed the mast and the rudder became inoperable for several days. As the vessel approached San Salvador on Christmas Eve, the arrival was marred by winds and a US launch had to tow her to shore at Cockburn Town.
The vessel arrived at San Salvador on 25 December 1962 with the crew dressed in 15th Century attire. Ruth G D Wolper, director of the New World Museum at San Salvador and one of the Nina’s sponsors, staged a banquet for the crews. The Nina II then was towed to Nassau for a big welcome before being taken to New York City for a ticker-tape parade up Fifth Avenue.
A plaque listing the Nina’s arrival was placed next to another one that marks the place where Columbus is thought to have landed, listing the crew that took part of the voyage. It reads:
“To commemorate the arrival of La Nina II, Christmas Week, December 1962, from Passajes, Spain, on San Salvador Island.”
Commemorative Covers
References
- Palm Beach Life February 1963
