City poised to commit $20K to restore shipNiña needs a new deck, Columbus Fleet:

CORPUS CHRISTI —Caller Times ^ | January 13, 2009 | By Sara Foley

[Joya]

I enjoyed those photos. Thanks.

The dimensions of those ships were similar to the dimensions of single-wide trailers.

[HollyB]

They have these ships set up for tourists to visit. There isn’t a huge amount to do in Corpus (besides of course the beach). It’s a small city/town, but is growing. This is one of their Bayside attractions in a very nice and touristy area. I agree with another poster, they should come up with more doners. Although I must say this is not a huge amount of money considering the millions & billions I am hearing people pull their hands out for.

One thing I found interesting and did not know is that Spain had commissioned them in 1980.

[Joya]

Excellent link. Thanks so much.

[HollyB]

When I saw them they were at the waterfront area, not in the center, but I don’t remember them being under a bridge.

[River_Wrangler]

I, by happenstance, was in Florida when the three ships arrived and volunteered to help secure them. The crew were more than ready to get off and return to Spain after crossing the Atlantic having spent several months living in primitive conditions.

They did have a Spanish vessel sailing along side that cooked and passed meals to them and gave them a tow when they were without wind. Columbus was not that fortunate.

[SwinneySwitch]

Pinta ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[dynachrome]

Maybe the people on welfare could be put to work on this? haha. Still a worthwhile project IMHO if private $ can be used.

[Gondring]

Maintaining La Niña is a good idea. El Niño causes so many more troubles than La Niña.

[HollyB]

Very cool.

[Quix]

Thanks.

Interesting.

[publiusF27]

The crew were more than ready to get off and return to Spain after crossing the Atlantic having spent several months living in primitive conditions.

Can't say I blame them. I love sailing, for a little while. Oceans should be crossed by multi-engine jetliner, not sailboat. ;-)

[Daveinyork]

This is the sort of project that should be done with private money. Taxpayers are burdened enough.

[BellStar]

Earth to all the money was earmarked by the Hotel Motel Tax rules. It can only be used for this type of project in the hopes that might generate tourism and put heads in Hotel Beds!

[BellStar]

Oceans should be crossed by multi-engine jetliner, not sailboat!

I have Sailed all over the Caribbean, the Gulf and the ICW and loved it until I went on my first Cruise aboard the Carnival Conquest (BIG SHIP) I will never sail a small boat anywhere I can cruise again.

[Daveinyork]

Cattle are earmarked. Money is fungible.

[wildbill]

I visited the ships in 93 at Corpus. They were buildt from wood from the same forest that Columbus’s shipwright used, using the original plans.

The ships have been plagued by problems, mostly financial, since their arrival in America