Columbus' replica ships, Nina and Pinta, arrive in Cape Girardeau

Columbus' replica ships, the Nina, right, and the Pinta, head down the river Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 to dock at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

The Nina replica ship arrives Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

The Pinta replica ship arrives Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

People watch the Columbus' replica ships arrive Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

Two Columbus replica ships, the Nina, left, and the Pinta, arrive Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. The ships will be on display through Oct. 8. (Fred Lynch)

Cannon smoke is seen from the Nina as it prepares to dock Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

Mayor Harry Rediger presents a proclamation to Capt. Stephen Sanger of the Nina replica ship Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

The present is viewed through the past, as the motor vessel Richard A. Baker pushes a tow past the Nina and Pinta replica ships that are docked Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

Mayor Harry Rediger and a welcoming group board the Nina replica ship Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

The Nina replica ship is seen Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

A view of the tiller, the steering mechanism, on the Nina replica ship Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

A view on the Nina replica ship Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront.

Crew members adjust the rigging on the Nina replica ship Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

The Nina replica ship is seen Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)

The Nina replica ship is seen Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. (Fred Lynch)