The Niña, the smallest ship of the Columbus fleet, is a Caravel like the Pinta.
In the XVth century, La Niña was—state of the art—in her quickness and maneuverability.
The Caravel’s were originally built with one to four masts and lateen* sails. Later, the ships were changed to square sails or mixed—with lateen and square** sails.
The Nina was originally named Santa Clara, but was called La Niña by its commander Vicente Yanez Pinzon, the younger brother of the Captain of the Pinta
The Caravels can sail up to 70˚ into the wind – or so they say
With average wind speeds, the Niña carries a boat speed of 2 to 6 knots
The Square rig sails carry the Cross of Santiago
Characteristics of the Nina
Hull length – 70’3”
Length of Keel - 51’
Breadth – 20’7”
Depth – 6’7”
Displacement in light condition – 48.66 tons
Maximum displacement – 100.3 tons
Height of main mast above deck – 52’6”
Length of the Main yard – 42’
Height of Foremast above the Forecastle – 32’2”
Length of the Foreyard – 24’
Height of Mizzen mast above the quarter-deck – 26’9”
Surface of the Main sail – 115.70 meters or 1245 sq. ft.
Surface of Foresail – 40.6 meters or 437 sq. ft.
Surface of Mizzen sail – 22.5 meters or 242 sq. ft.
*A lateen (from a la trina, meaning triangular) or Latin-rig is a triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, and running in a fore-and-aft direction.
** Square rig is a generic type of sail and rigging arrangement in which the primary driving sails are carried on horizontal spars, which are perpendicular, or square, to the keel of the vessel and to the masts. These spars are called yards
