The Niña - Columbus Tall Ship Replica

Victoria, British Columbia - CANADA – A replica of one of the ships commanded by Christopher Columbia on his discovery of the New World in 1492 will make her first-ever voyage to Victoria as part of the 2008 Victoria Tall Ships Festival on June 26-29.

The Niña, a replica 15th century caravel redonda, is considered the most authentic replica ship sailing today.

The Niña joins the Eagle, a 295-foot (90 metre) three-masted barque from the U.S. Coast Guard, and a growing list of others now confirmed for the event. In all, over two-dozen of the world’s finest tall ships will make the voyage to Victoria’s historic Inner Harbour for the four-day festival.

“Seeing the Niña under sail and touring onboard will be like stepping back in time to relive Columbus’ adventure and exciting journey of exploration,” said Bob Cross, Chair of the Victoria Tall Ships Society, the local group organizing the festival.

About the Niña

The Niña, a replica of 15th century caravel commanded by Christopher Columbus, is the most historically accurate replica of a Columbus ship ever built. It was his favourite ship, the one he very nearly died on in 1493, upon which he ultimately logged more than 40,000 km (25,000 miles).

Built in Brazil by the Columbus Foundation, ship-makers built this tribute to Columbus using the same kind of tools and techniques the original ship’s builders would have used. In December 1991, the Niña left Brazil and sailed to Costa Rica on a 6,400 km (4,000 mile) unescorted maiden voyage to take part in the filming of the movie 1492, starring Gerard Dépardieu as Columbus. Since then, the ship has visited over 300 ports sailing out of her home port of Grand Caymen.

About the 2008 Victoria Tall Ships Festival, June 26-29

Victoria is the first and only major port of call on Canada’s west coast in the 2008 Tall Ships Challenge, a series of races along the west coast of Canada and the United States. More than two-dozen of the world’s finest tall ships will make the voyage to Victoria’s historic Inner Harbour for the four-day festival, June 26-29. The family-friendly event features nightly cannon battles, artists and musicians and a variety of children's programs – including a pirate school.

The event is organized by the Victoria Tall Ships Society, a not-for-profit organization incorporated in May 2003 for the purpose of bringing a Tall Ships Festival to Victoria. The Society’s vision is to promote a legacy for youth and the life lessons learned through sail training and to promote Victoria’s rich maritime history.

Want to volunteer? They are encouraging anyone with a passion for tall ships to sign up on the Festival website. A crew of 900-1000 volunteers will be recruited for jobs ranging from Pirate School instructors to ticketing, office administration and ship liaison officers. Tickets are also available online, check out the website at www.tallshipsvictoria.ca.

2008 Victoria Tall Ships Festival - Tall Ships Scheduled to Attend:

• Adventuress 135’ (40.5m) schooner Port Townsend, Wa.
• Amazing Grace 83’ (25m) topsail schooner Gig Harbour, Wa.
• Copper Sky 88’ (26.5m) schooner Delta, B.C.
• Cutty Sark 52’ (15.5m) ketch Whidbey Island, Wa.
• Duen 72’ (21.5m) ketch Brentwood Bay, B.C.
• Eagle* 295’ (88.5m) three masted barque New London, Conn.
• Hawaiian Chieftain* 105’ (31.5m) square topsail ketch Aberdeen, Wa.
• Kia Ora 60’ (18m) schooner Winthrop, Wa.
• Lady Washington* 112’ (33.5m) two masted brig Aberdeen, Wa.
• Lynx 122’ (36.5m) square topsail schooner Newport Beach, CA
• Mallory Todd 65’ (19.5m) staysail schooner Seattle, Wa.
• Merrie Ellen 107’ (32m) gaff topsail schooner Seattle, Wa.
• Niña* 68’ (20.5m) replica 15th century caravel Grand Cayman
• N.Star of Herschel Isl. 78’ (23.5m) full-rigged ship Victoria, B.C.
• Oriole 102’ (30.5m) ketch Victoria, B.C.
• Pacific Grace* 138’ (41.5m) gaff topsail schooner Victoria, B.C.
• Pacific Swift* 111’ (33m) square topsail schooner Victoria, B.C.
• Providence 86’ (26m) gaff ketch Comox, B.C.
• Resolute 44’ (13m) yawl Steilacoom, Wa.
• Rejoice 56’ (17m) schooner LaConnor, Wa.
• Sidney E. Waite 50’ (15m) stay-sail rigged schooner Roy, Wa.
• Thane 55’ (16.5m) gaff rigged ketch Victoria, B.C.
• Yankee Clipper 54’ (16m) gaff ketch Seattle, Wa.
• Zodiac 160’ (48m) gaff schooner Seattle, Wa.

*confirmed

Photo: The Niña, a replica 15th century caravel redonda, is considered the most authentic replica ship sailing today.