Visit the Pinta and Nina in Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Would you like to see how Christopher Columbus traveled to America? Then head to the docks at Pensacola to get a glimpse of history.

More than 500 years ago, the Pinta and the Nina sailed to America. Tuesday, replicas of the historic ships came back and docked in Pensacola.

Captain Morgan Sanger helped build the ships.

"This is the only two ships in the world that are 15th century vessels that are truly historic. If you want to know something about your past that helps you with your future, you have to see these ships and learn what these people had to do to get freedom and choice back in those days," he said.

They don't just look different; they sail like they're from the 15th century. Back then they didn't have steering wheels, so they'd have to sail with a long wooden pole, called a tiller.

The crew also didn't travel like they do in today's age. They all slept up on deck - weathering every storm.

"Incredible hardship. They were persecuted back then, they wanted freedom from the new world. They had to go through a lot to get to the new world," Morgan added.

Captain Morgan said it took years of research to get the ships right.

"There was no plans, no drawings. We dove on shipwrecks in the Bahamas for two years, and had help from archeologists," he said.

The Nina and the Pinta tour throughout the country year-round. The captain says everyone always asks: What about the Santa Maria?

"Columbus absolutely hated the Santa Maria. It sank on Christmas day. He compared it to sailing a barrel at sea," Morgan said.

Tours will be going on Wednesday, December 23 through Monday, January 4 at the Palafox Pier. The ships are open every day from 9:00 - 5:00.