Today the sea is calm, the air is
still. The setting sun reminds us of an era slowly fading away. As I stand on
the deck of this ship and look out to sea, I wonder what kind of men would take
on such a challenge that could end in death. To search for a path to India by
sea was a task that seemed impossible to most that lived in Europe in those
times. The Flat Earth Society experts scoffed at the mere thought, yet
Christopher Columbus held on to his conviction and belief it could be
accomplished. Today, we know he was correct in his belief that the earth was
round and that he successfully crossed the ocean with three small wooden ships,
the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Each ship measured about 50’ long and in
the massive Atlantic Ocean, looked liked a bobbing cork in a pond. What a feat
on such small ships!
The ship I am standing on today is
the full size replica of the Pinta at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and
Modern History. This ship and its sister replica ship, the Santa Maria, are
slowly deteriorating in their dry dock location at the museum. (The replica Nina
is moored at the Lawrence Street T-Head near downtown.) Tours at the museum are
still being held, but for how much longer is anyone’s guess by looking at their
condition. The tour guides are very informative and outgoing in their
narrative. You get a sense of size and the craftsmanship of the ships of that historic
era.
The three replica ships sailed
across the Atlantic in 1992 as a gift from Spain. They toured American ports
and sailed into Corpus Christi Bay in 1993. What started out as a victory tour
has ended up as a disaster of sorts. Neglected? I believe so. How soon we
forget our history.
Those of you who are fascinated by
the call of the sea or have children who yearn to learn about history should
take the time to visit this Corpus Christi museum. With spring break just
around the corner, it’s a great addition to your itinerary while you visit
Texas Thru My Back Door!
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