GALLIPOLIS — Christopher Columbus won’t be making the trip to Gallipolis next week, but two of the three ships on which he and his crew sailed to the New World in 1492 will be here — well, at least replicas.

Bob Hood, executive director of the Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said replicas of the Nina and the Pinta will dock at the Gallipolis riverfront on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and be open to the public Thursday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 24.

It’s not the first visit to the Old French City for the two ships, but this stop will be a little longer than the previous stay.

“They were here once before and docked overnight,” Hood said. “I met up with the crew and told them that if they were ever coming back to this area that we would like to have them for an extended stay. They actually made the contact this time and we were delighted when they did.”

The ships are owned and operated by the Columbus Foundation, Inc., based in the British Virgin Islands. According to the foundation’s Website, the Nina is the most historically accurate Columbus replica ship ever constructed. It is essentially a floating museum that visits ports throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The Nina was used in the production of the historical drama 1492, which was directed by Ridley Scott.

The Pinta was recently completed and is a larger version of the caravel ships Columbus utilized on his voyage of discovery. The Pinta is outfitted with a larger deck space to accommodate tours and also has a 900-square foot, air conditioned salon below deck complete with seating for visitors to view a video of the ship’s construction process in Brazil. The space is available for private parties while in port, according to the Columbus Foundation.

Hood said the Nina and Pinta’s visit to Gallipolis coincides with one of the chief goals of the Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“It fits the number one mission of the visitor’s bureau and that’s education,” Hood said. “This is a great opportunity to expand on the educational part of our mission.”

Hood said the ships will arrive late on the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 18 and offer limited tour opportunities at that time.

The ships will be open to the public for tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily beginning Thursday, Nov. 19 until they set sail on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Admission is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for senior citizens and $5.00 for children. Admission is free for children age 4 and younger. No reservations are necessary.

School teachers or groups may schedule tours by calling the ship directly at (787) 672-2152. Group admission is $4.00 per person for groups of 15 or more.

(On the Web: Columbus Foundation, Inc., www.thenina.com; Gallia Co. Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.visitgallia.com)