In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain finally give Christopher Columbus the money and ships for his expedition. The names of the 1497 Christopher Columbus Ships were the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.The brave men of the 1400's and 1500's, like Christopher Columbus, who sailed in uncharted waters to unknown lands were courageous adventurers who were motivated by fame, glory and the wealth. The living conditions on board the small ships were basic and the voyages were dangerous. Christopher Columbus
The Three Ships of Christopher Columbus - The Nina, The Pinta, Santa Maria
The names of the Three Ships of Christopher Columbus:
- The Nina
- The Pinta
- The Santa Maria
Who did Christopher Columbus name his ships for?
Who did Christopher Columbus name his ships for? His own flagship, the Santa Maria was fitted out in a place called El Puerto de Santa Maria. El Puerto de Santa Maria is located on the Guadalete River outlet, in the Bay of Cadiz. During the 16th and 17th centuries, El Puerto was the winter headquarters and base for the Royal Galleys of Spain. The Santa Maria was named after this location in Spain.
The Pinta means the "Painted One" and was probably a nickname given to the ship. The Nina means "Girl" but was originally called the Santa Clara. Her nickname 'Nina' probably derives from her master, Juan Niño.
Facts, Information and History about the Navigational Aids on the three ships of Christopher Columbus
Facts, Information and history about Christopher Columbus Ships. Various aids to navigation were available on ships during the Renaissance. The Navigational aids that Christopher Columbus would have used on his three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, included:
- Astrolabes
- Charts
- Assorted time pieces including and hour glass and sundial
- Compasses
- Cross-staffs
- Nocturnals
- Traverse boards
- Almanacs
All of the navigational aids used by Christopher Columbus on the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria were used to measure the angle between objects above the ocean, such as the stars or the sun, with the horizon. This would have enabled Christopher Columbus to calculate the ship's position at sea.
Facts about the three ships of Christopher Columbus
Facts, Information and history about the three Christopher Columbus Ships.
- Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: Conditions on the Christopher Columbus ships would have been very basic. Food provisions would have included bread, beer, hard biscuits, fish and salted meat. The Captain would have had some private stores which might include wine
- Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: How fast were the ships? The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria probably covered a distance of about 100 miles per day
- The ships carried about 120 men in total
- There was a lack of proper sanitation
- Large ships would have carried a surgeon or doctor
- One of the worst health problems on board the three Christopher Columbus Ships would have been scurvy
- Fresh livestock included pigs and chickens were part of the ships provisions
- Meat would have been preserved by being salted
- Cooking was done in a fire box located on decks in the bow of the ship, Cooking pots or cauldrons would be suspended from a bar
- The seamen would sleep in cramped and damp conditions on the deck of the ships
