Columbus comes to Knoxville

Knoxville Skyline, Nina and Pinta in the foreground, November 2010

You have to act fast if you'd like to take advantage of this interesting diversion, but until November 17, replicas of two of Columbus' ships - the Nina and Pinta - are docked beside Calhoun's among the various yachts and speed boats you might more commonly encounter in these waters.

Steady Crowds buy tickets for the tour

The Knoxville News Sentinel did  a thorough write-up a few days ago, so I won't belabor the details. Seven dollars will get a full-sized adult aboard and a little less will be required of the children. I understand they are also taking applications from anyone who might like to work on the crew for a three-week stint.

Nina and Pinta at dock, Knoxville, Tennessee, November 2010

Where is the Santa Maria some readers who have excellent elementary history recall might ask? I'm not completely sure, but according to the information distributed at the site, the Santa Maria didn't fare too well in the expedition, whereas the Pinta logged about 25,000 miles under the command of Captain Columbus.

I'd encourage you to read the comments on the News Sentinel site if you go there. Usually I would encourage you to avoid the comments on that site at all cost, no matter the original topic of the article. In this case a discussion ensued of the relative contribution and significance of Columbus measured against the devastation that followed to the indigenous people. I've read estimates that ten million natives lived on the continent in 1492 and that by 1607 (Jamestown) only 500,000 had survived the disease that swept the continent.

The Pinta, Columbus' go-to Ship, Knoxville, November 2010

Something to ponder as you go below deck for  a gander.