Ships Ahoy

Of the many square-rigged, tall ships sailing into port this week for the Festival of Sail, we’re most excited about the Nina. The ship, which starred in 1492 (the movie), is a historically correct replica of a 15th-century caravel, right down to the construction techniques — it was built using hand tools by Brazilian master shipbuilders still versed in the very old ways. Starting July 24, you can not only tread Nina’s decks and inspect her main sail, but you can also board many other historically spot-on ships, such as the HMS Bounty, which was built for the 1960 film Mutiny on the Bounty and featured at the 1964 World’s Fair. For an extra thrill, book passage on one of the many voyages on the bay — one includes mock cannon battles.
July 23-28, 2008