Ship Shapely

The caravel was the Impala of the high seas – a classic vehicle, made for cruisin’ and lookin’ good. Christopher Columbus’ favorite ship the Nina was a caravel; that’s how smooth Columbus rolled. A hand-built replica of the Nina is currently docked at the Alton Marina (1 Henry Street, Alton, Illinois; 618-462-9860 or www.thenina.com) through Monday, October 29. This working vessel sails the world as a piece of maritime history, providing an up-close look at one of the most important pieces of technology ever developed. Everything from the rigging to the tiller is historically accurate – Columbus himself would do a double take if he saw it. Self-guided tours are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and cost only $3 to $5.
Oct. 17-29, 2007