CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) _ Replicas of two ships used by explorer Christopher Columbus have fallen into disrepair at a Texas museum and will be demolished.
The Corpus Christi City Council on Tuesday learned more about the dire condition of the Pinta and the Santa Maria following a marine survey. The wooden ships are in dry dock at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History.
City business liaison Alyssa Michelle Barrera cited repair cost concerns.
City staffers will prepare a contract to demolish the ships, which were donated to Corpus Christi by Spain. The ships have been in Texas since the 1990s as part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Columbus voyage.
The Columbus Sailing Association will be allowed to salvage parts for another replica in Corpus Christi, the Nina (NEEN’-yuh).
