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The Nina – La Niña (Spanish for The Girl) was one of the three Spanish ships used by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in his first voyage to the West Indies in 1492. As was tradition for Spanish ships of the day, she bore a female saint’s name, Santa Clara. However, she was commonly referred to by her nickname, La Niña, which was probably a pun on the name of her owner, Juan Niño of Moguer. She was a standard caravel-type vessel.
The other ships of the Columbus expedition were the caravel-type Pinta and the carrack-type Santa María. Nina was by far Columbus’s favorite. She was originally lateen sail rigged caravela latina, but she was re-rigged as caravela redonda at Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, with square sails for better ocean performance. There is no authentic documentation on the specifics of Niña’s design, although Michele de Cuneo, who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage, mentioned that Niña was “about 60 toneladas” (60 tons), which may indicate a medium-sized caravel of around 50 feet (15 m) in length on deck. Often said to have had three masts, there is some evidence she may have had four masts.
Niña, like Pinta and Santa María, was a smaller trade ship built to sail the Mediterranean sea, not the open ocean. It was greatly surpassed in size by ships like Peter von Danzig of the Hanseatic League, built in 1462, 51 m (167 ft) in length, and the English carrack Grace Dieu, built during the period 1420–1439, weighing between 1,400 and 2,750 tons, and 66.4 m (218 ft) long, in both weight and length.
Amati’s Nina 1:65 Scale kit includes all wooden and metal accessories; laser cut wooden keel, frames and decks; sails and flags; wooden planking; masts and riggings; construction plans and instructions.
Scale 1:65
Length: 370mm (14.6″)
The Nina played a crucial role in Columbus’s historic voyage, as it was the fastest ship in the fleet and was able to make the journey in just over two months. It was also the only ship to survive the journey back to Spain, as the other two ships, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, were lost at sea. The Nina’s successful voyage opened up a new era of exploration and trade between the Old World and the New World.
The ship itself was a marvel of craftsmanship and ingenuity. It was built using traditional shipbuilding techniques, with a sturdy wooden hull and masts made from pine and oak. The sails were made from durable canvas and were intricately designed to catch the wind and propel the ship forward. The Nina also had a unique feature called a lateen sail, which was a triangular sail that allowed the ship to sail against the wind. This was a crucial advantage in navigating the treacherous Atlantic waters.
On board, the Nina was well-equipped to sustain the crew on their long journey. It had a small galley where food was prepared, and a fresh water tank to provide drinking water. The crew also brought along live animals, such as pigs, chickens, and goats, to provide a source of fresh meat during the voyage. The ship also had a small storage area for supplies, including tools, weapons, and trade goods.
The Nina’s legacy extends far beyond its famous voyage with Columbus. After returning to Spain, the ship continued to sail for many years, making numerous trips across the Atlantic. It was eventually retired and fell into disrepair, but a replica was built in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage. Today, visitors can see the replica of the Nina in various ports around the world, offering a glimpse into the fascinating history of this legendary sailing ship.
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