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Initials KC/N/WS/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: NEW YORK IS WAITING TO GIVE A TICKER TAPE RECEPTION TO THE NINE MEN WHO SAILED NINA II - A CLOSE COPY OF COLUMBUS'S SMALLEST VESSEL - ACROSS THE ATLANTIC TO COMMEMORATE THE DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD.

NINA II ARRIVED AT SAN SALVADOR IN THE BAHAMAS ON CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25, AFTER A 117 DAY VOYAGE FROM PALOS, SPAIN, AND LATER THE VESSEL WAS TOWED TO NASSAU.

THE VESSEL WAS BUILT FROM PLANS OF THE NINA, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE THREE SHIPS IN COLUMBUS'S FLEET TO SAIL THE ATLANTIC IN 1492.THE REPLICA HAD NO RADIO, ENGINE OR OTHER MODERN EQUIPMENT.

THE CREW LIVED JUST AS THE MEN ON THE ORIGINAL VOYAGE.THEY ATE THE SAME TYPE OF FOOD - LENTILS, HONEY, RICE BEANS AND BISCUITS - AND CARRIED LITTLE NAVIGATING EQUIPMENT.BELOW DECKS, THERE WAS ONLY ROOM AT ANY ONE TIME FOR SEVEN OF THE NINE CREW.

ON SUNDAY, NINA'S CREW WELCOMED ABOARD THE SPANISH CHAPLAIN AND ARTILLERYMAN, FATHER ANTONIO SAGASETA, PREPARED AN CHARGE AND FIRED A SALUTE FROM THE 15TH CENTURY CANNON ON BOARD THE VESSEL.

THE CHARGE HAD TAKEN HOURS TO PREPARE.FATHER SAGASETA COULD FIND NO SUITABLE GUNPOWDER IN THE PEACEFUL BAHAMAS SO HE HAD TO OPEN CARTRIDGE SHELLS AND REFINE THE POWDER.THE SALUTE WAS NO MORE THAN A PUFF BUT IT WAS ENOUGH TO BRING CHEERS FROM ONLOOKERS.

NINA'S SKIPPER, CAPTAIN CARLOS ETAYO, WELCOMED SENOR GARRIGUES ABOARD AND TOLD THE AMBASSADOR OF THE VOYAGE.

THE VESSEL HAD COST 20,000 AMERICAN DOLLARS.IT HAS NOW BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE AND THE SPONSORS ARE TRYING TO FIND A WAY OF TRANSPORTING NINA II TO NEW YORK WHERE A WARM WELCOME AWAITS THE CREW.