Columbus ship replica damaged by Hurricane Harvey for sale

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A coastal Texas city is selling a replica of one of the three ships that Christopher Columbus used to reach the New World. Buyer beware, though, as it suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Harvey.

The Corpus Christi City Council has authorized the Columbus Sailing Association’s request to find an interested buyer for its copy of the Niña, the Corpus Christi Caller Times reported.

The ship is the last remaining of three replica vessels built in the late 1980s to mark the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. They were docked in Corpus Christi after a tour in the 1990s.

The replica Niña outlasted the replicas Pinta and Santa Maria, which deteriorated and were demolished four years ago. But Hurricane Harvey left the Niña partially submerged in Corpus Christ Bay when it barrelled through the area last year.

It took five months and $20,000 in donations to raise the ship out of the water, said Kim Mrazek, president of the Columbus Sailing Association.

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Gina Sanchez, the marina superintendent, said the association’s dwindling staff can no longer maintain the ship, especially with the damage from Harvey. The association was contracted to manage the Niña for 15 years.

“There’s good news — three separate interested parties that have been identified (as potential buyers),” Sanchez said.

A proposed sales contract should be presented to interim City Manager Keith Selman by Nov. 1, she said.

“Storms have played a big part in the ship’s history,” said Debbie Lindsey-Opel, a city council member. “I really applaud all the work that has been done and look forward to the repositioning of the Niña to people who have the funding.”

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Information from: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, http://www.caller.com

The Associated Press