Grandmas always have the best ideas for entertaining bored kids: the Niña’s weekend visit to the Center for Wooden Boats was a perfect way to spend a sunny morning.
The original Niña, Christopher Columbus’ favorite ship, disappears from records around 1501. A historically correct replica of this 15th century caravel was built in 
Valenca, Brazil using hand tools and period-correct design and construction techniques. The new Niña was completed in 1991, appeared in the film 1492, and now visits ports around the USA and Canada as a ’sailing museum.’ She visits Seattle from 18-23 June; other local stops include Tacoma, WA and Victoria and Port Alberni in British Columbia before sailing to California.
We were all surprised at how small the Niña is: just short of 94 feet overall with a deck length of 66 feet and beam measuring 17 feet. The replica houses a seven-person crew, but in Columbus’ day there would have been about two dozen or more men on board, plus the animals stored in the hold. Thing Two was intrigued by the ship’s rudder and tiller and the large opening in 
which they were placed; Monkey almost fell into Lake Union when his keeper tried to give him a closer look. (Unfortunately the photo of this event is too blurred to share; your humble narrator chose to lunge for Monkey instead of keeping still. We need a faster camera, and perhaps I should make a tiny life jacket for Monkey as well.)
The Virginia V, a classic steam ship from the Mosquito Fleet, was also open for tours. Thing One preferred the Virginia V to the Niña, especially the steam engine room. At the entrance to the Center for Wooden Boats a local artisan was busy creating a canoe from an immense cedar log.
Our morning ended on a sad note when 
Thing Two made it clear that he had expected to do more than simply tour a ship. Deeply disappointed that we didn’t actually sail on the water, he sobbed softly all the way home. He may be living up to his namesake: a great-great grandfather who is reported to have boarded a sailing ship at age 14, served in the Danish navy, and had many seafaring adventures in the process. Poor little Thing Two, would-be powder monkey; you’re too young to break your mother’s heart and run off to sea just yet.
Exploring Further:
This entry was posted on Saturday, June 21st, 2008 at 10:47am
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