Tragically, on July 11th, 1990, whilst on a trip to select a main mast for the Niña, John Sarsfield was killed in a traffic accident. Several important design details, including such fundamental factors as the number of masts and rigging specifics were clarified by data from recent discoveries of 15th & 16th Century Spanish shipwrecks in the Caribbean. Different proportions, varying from region to region were used for different types, however, all were based on the length of the keel. Ships of this period were not built from a set of plans but from the mental template in the head of the shipwright who based the dimensions of the ship on a set of proportions. Secondly, shipwrights were using traditional tools, such as axes, adzes, hand saws and chisels, as well as utilizing traditional construction methods and finally, the tropical forests of Bahia provided a source for the various naturally-shaped timbers necessary to build a large wooden ship. Valenca was chosen as the building site for three reasons: shipwrights were using Mediterranean Whole Moulding in conjunction with mechanically generated geometric progressions known as graminhos, techniques that may be similar or identical to those used by the builders of discovery period ships. In a sleepy little fishing village called Valenca, Sarsfield slowly gained the confidence of the Valencan shipwrights and they began to share with him the secrets of their techniques. Sarsfield discovered this technique in daily use in shipyards on the coast of Bahia in Brazil. This was a technique used by master ship builders in the 15th Century and likely used to build the original ships. ![]() John had lived in Brazil while working in the Peace Corps, and had learned of an archaic ship building process called Mediterranean Whole Moulding. In 1988, the Columbus Foundation hired John Patrick Sarsfield (click for more information on John), an American engineer, maritime historian, and expert on Portuguese caravels, to design and construct a replica of the Niña. The Niña logged at least 25,000 miles under Columbus' command. She was lying in Santo Domingo in 1500, and we last hear of her making a trading voyage to the Pearl Coast in 1501. Voyage from Cadiz to Rome, was captured by a pirate off Sardinia, recaptured by her master and crew and returned to Cadiz in time to sail to Hispaniola early in 1498 as advance guard of Columbus third voyage. After his return she made an unauthorized When Columbus had the pick of the whole Merchant Marine on his second voyage he selected her out of 17 ships as his flagship for an exploratory voyage to Cuba, and purchased a half share in her. She made the entire first voyage, bringing the Admiral safely home. Transatlantic routes, larger cargo vessels as well as warships were required, which paved the way for the development of the galleon.Ĭolumbus changed the Niña's rig to a Caravela Redonda before the first voyage. The Caravel heydey lasted almost a hundred years from the early 1400's to the 1530's. They were used to chart the Coast of Africa to the Cape of Good Hope by Bartholomew Diaz they took part in all four of Columbus voyages they were used by Vasco de Gama in 1502 in 1519, the caravel Santiago accompanied Magellan's expedition. The Niña, which is rigged as a Caravela Redonda, has square sails on the main and foremast for sailing downwind, and lateen (triangular) sails on the mizzen masts.Ĭaravels have always been linked with Portuguese and Spanish explorations and explorers. Their advantages were speed, a shallow draught, and manoeuvrability, plus the fact that they were good sailing ships. The Niña, like the Pinta, was a caravel, which was a common trading vessel in use during the Age of Discovery.Ĭaravels were also used as cargo carriers, warships, patrol boats, and even corsairs (pirate ships). The least was known about the Pinta, and after the first voyage she disappeared from history without a trace. She became the flagship because she was the largest of the fleet but Columbus disliked her for her dull sailing qualities, and when she sank, he recorded in his journal she was very heavy, and not suitable for the business of discovery. She was a nao, or freighter and was built in Galicia. ![]() The original Santa Maria ran aground in Hispaniola and sank on the first voyage. ![]() It was decided that the Niña would be built. During that time it became evident that due to money and time constraints it would be possible to build only one replica. ![]() The next two years were spent in research.
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