Replicas Of Historical 'Nina' And 'Pinta' Sail Into Muskogee

A hands-on history lesson is on deck the next few weeks at the Port of Muskogee. Replicas of Christopher Columbus' ships, the Nina and the Pinta, sailed into Three Forks Harbor.

It's a familiar rhyme. "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492." Now, we can follow in his footsteps, peer overboard, and step back in time.

"To see and be on an actual ship of that nature really connects our heritage," Fredricka Gaffney said.

A heritage kept alive by the crew members who live and work in the replica ships, using America's network of rivers to travel the country.

"These were space shuttles of the 1400s. People are always seeing these Hollywood movies that show much bigger ships," First Mate Stephen Sanger said.

But the Nina and Pinta were actually small trade ships. The third, the Santa Maria, is at 100 feet long, too large for tours.

"The biggest thing is she would sit about 14 feet in the water. These ships are about 7 feet deep in the water," Sanger said.

"They're kind of smaller than I expected," 13-year-old Parker Dunn said.

And, somehow these transatlantic vessels fit 30 crew members on board. They slept above deck while livestock and supplies were stored in the cargo hold.

"It's amazing they went on open seas, open ocean water," Gaffney said.

"They're really cool," 13-year-old Gracie Dunn said.

Guest after guest took pictures with a digital camera, gazing in awe at craftsmanship modeled after a time when sailors made do with what they had.

"It's so simple when you look at how they've applied things but back then, this was cutting edge in 1492," Tulsa resident Paul Hardy said.

If you'd like to visit the ships, they'll be in Muskogee until December 7. History buffs will know that's another milestone in our naval history: Pearl Harbor Day.

11/20/2011 Related Story: Tour The 'Nina' And 'Pinta' Starting Wednesday In Muskogee