You've Got Photos: Nina, Pinta Dock in Wyandotte
Replicas of Christopher Columbus' ships will be available for tours on Friday through Sunday at Bishop Park.
Ships ahoy!
Replicas of two of Christopher Columbus' tall ships, the Nina and the Pinta, are docked at Bishop Park till Sunday.
The ships arrived shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday in advance of public tours, which run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Wyandotte is the only stop in southeastern Michigan. Sixteen stops are planned throughout the country this year. This year marks the first time the ships have docked in metro Detroit.
Opportunity Grosse Ile and the city of Wyandotte partnered together to make the Downriver stop possible. The event is being called the Downriver Explorers Festival.
The Nina and Pinta replica ships serve as floating museums operated by The Columbus Foundation, which is located in the British Virgin Islands. Organizers said the ships are the most historically accurate reproductions of the famous ships that have ever been built.
Columbus Foundation staffers will be on hand to provide visitors with half-hour guided tours that will explain life on, and the operations of, these ships.
The cost is $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens ages 60 and older, $6 for children ages 5 to 16 and free for younger children. Tickets can be purchased at the time of the tour.
Group tours with a minimum of 15 people cost $4 per person. To make those reservations, call 1-284-495-4618.
Free parking for the event will be available:
- On Van Alstyne, along the western border of Bishop Park
- South of Oak Street, at the southern end of Bishop Park
- At Yack Arena
For more information, read the full story and watch our video tour aboard each ship.
Are you headed down to check out the ships? If so, snap some photos and upload them to our gallery at the link above.
In This article
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Bishop Park
2701 Van Alstyne St, Wyandotte, MI -
Yack Arena
3131 3rd St, Wyandotte, MI -
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Rockin Robin
1:09 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
I saw both of them yesterday morning on the Amherstburg Channel en route to Bishop Park. What a nice surpise when one of them went by again at 11:30 this morning! Didn't have my binoculars or camera -- which one was she? Please and thanks!
Jason Alley
2:31 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Hello. I checked and was told that neither ship left dock this morning. You must have seen another great looking ship instead.
Laura Mason
2:56 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Robin, that's just about when the Brig 'Niagara' would have sailed past you. The Niagara was Commodore Perry's flagship when the US Navy defeated the British fleet during the Battle of Lake Erie, in the War of 1812. The battle was fought on Sept. 10, 1813. Perry's original flagship, the 'Lawrence' was sunk during the battle, so he boarded the 'Niagara, which became the flagship. Though the current 'Niagara' is a replica, it contains some planking that was recovered from the original 'Niagara' which was at the bottom of the lake.
See my photo of the Niagara passing Bishop Park at about 12:30 PM
There will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Lake Erie next year for the 200th anniversary. It should be fantastic!
Daniel Cervantes
2:56 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Robin, the third ship wasn't part of the Columbus ship exhibit. We saw it pass on the river and was wondering as to its identity. Anyone have an idea? It was a 18th or 19th century multi-masted ship. Passed by Wyandotte on the Canadian side at about 12:30pm.
Laura Mason
3:39 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Daniel, see my comment to Robin above. It was the Brig 'Niagara'. I planned my visit to Bishop Park so that I could see it sail by while I was there checking out the Nina and the Pinta.
Jason Alley
3:47 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Thanks for posting the photo and information, Laura. It's great to have enthusiasts like yourself sharing your knowledge with us.
Rockin Robin
1:58 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Thanks Jason for telling me I was mistaken but a bigger thanks to Laura for confirming that I hadn't seen a ghost ship! Very interesting indeed and another post for my ship log. Thank you very much!
Daniel Cervantes
4:23 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Laura! "We have met the enemy and they are ours." The Battle of Lake Erie is arguably the most significant naval engagement in US history along with Midway. The engineering, logistical and tactical effort put forth by this fledgling nation is epic in every respect! The fact that virtually no one knows of it is preposterous!
Laura Mason
6:50 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Hey Daniel, I'm glad you appreciate history as you do! "Don't give up the ship!" is another famous line from Perry, though he borrowed it from his friend, James Lawrence. It was emblazoned on his battle flag, and became part of the battle's history as well.
I got just enough footage from my visit to the Nina and Pinta today to make a little video, and am uploading it to Youtube now. It should be done around 9 PM. You might enjoy it, and will find it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACFxS-6ivI0
(if they let me post the URL)
Daniel Cervantes
10:55 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Thanks, Laura. Nice video! I just may enlist in the reenactment next year. Sounds like about as much fun as can be had!
bill
12:32 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
what time do they leave from dock. i would like to see them under sail.
Jason Alley
12:49 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Hey, Bill. They haven't yet announced what time they'll be leaving. It is set for tonight sometime. If I get a more definitive answer, I'll let you know.
bill
1:21 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Thank you.
Sandy
2:44 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Thank you Laura for the great video. It was very good to share the experience through your eyes. Loved seeing the Niagra in the end. Have a terrific day!