"Viking longship sets sail for North America" Topic

"The Draken Harald Hårfagre (Dragon Harald Fairhair, named after the first King of Norway), an ocean-worthy Viking longship, set sail early this morning from Norway on a daring voyage that will retrace the steps of great explorers like Erik the Red and his son Leif Erikson, the first European to cross the Atlantic and set foot on the American continent.

Sponsored by Norwegian businessman Sigurd Aase, construction on the vessel began in 2010 in Haugesund, Norway. It isn't an exact replica of an extant Viking ship. While replicas of excavated ships have been made, they don't work very well on the ocean because the originals were burial ships. They could be rowed, but they weren't meant for the ocean voyages that took the Vikings across half the world. So instead of relying exclusively on archaeological remains, the builders of the Draken Harald Hårfagre combined traditional Norwegian boatbuilding knowledge, a living craft with deep roots going back to the Viking era, with archaeology — the 9th century Gokstad ship was one particular inspiration — and descriptions in the Norse sagas. It is an open clinker-built ship with an oak hull, Douglas fir mast, hemp rigging and a silk sail. At 115 feet long, 27 feet wide with 50 oars and a 3,200-square-foot sail, the Draken Harald Hårfagre is largest Viking ship built in modern times…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Are some members of the crew named Ragnar, Bjorn, Lagertha, Floki, and Rollo? That would be cool!

According to drakenexpeditionamerica.com the captain is named Björn :)

My first thoughts were,'have things in Europe deteriorated that badly,,,again'?

North Atlantic in Spring, brave sailors

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

And not a single horned helmet. What is the Viking world coming to? A very cool project and I wish them well.

If there's a chick named Freytis, they'd better stay on her good side.