Replicas of Columbus sailing ships dock in Peoria

PEORIA — Replicas of the Nina and the Pinta, two of explorer Christopher Columbus’ sailing ships, have docked in Peoria and are open for public viewing.

The Journal-Star in Peoria reports (http://bit.ly/oTxGXl ) the ships are on a yearlong journey that takes them from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast to the Great Lakes.

The ships dock 30 to 40 times during the trip to give people a chance to take tours and talk to the crew members. Volunteers crew the ships, which are considered floating museums.

The hand-built ships are equipped with diesel engines and modern navigation gear, but Nina captain Kyle Friauf tells the Journal-Star that he uses a compass and the sails as often as he can.