The Viking Age, from around A.D. 800-1100 was the age of the terror for many and adventure for some. Vikings set sail and plundered Europe using advanced boating technology. Without it, the Vikings would never have become a dominant force in medieval politics, trade and warfare.
There were several different types of viking ships. One example was the longship drekar with its dragon head. They crossed open oceans under sail and then for their lightening fast attacks on undefended towns and monasteries, they switched to oars. They surpass contemporary English and Frankish vessels with their lightweight technology and efficiency. These longships carried Viking raiders long distances, sometimes all the way to North Africa.
Their expertise …show more content…
They fashioned a deck and rowing benches with crossbeams next, and attached a massive beam that supported the mast along the keel.
The longships success could be attributed to the longships’ light, efficient construction. Replicas made in modern times have been able to reach speeds of up to 14 knots. In contrast to modern sailboats, the absence of a large vertical keel meant they were highly maneuverable and could navigate shallow waters including river estuaries. They steered the vessel using a single side rudder on the right or ‘starboard side’. Apparently the term ‘starboard’ is thought to have been coined during this era.
The longest longship built by the Vikings was discovered in September 1997 by Danish archaeologists in the mud of Roskilde Harbor, 25 miles west of Copenhagen. It was lying next to the world-renowned Viking Ship Museum at Roskilde; it was found during an expansion of the harbor for the museum’s fleet of historic replica …show more content…
Only the shadow of a ship remained, the stained soil revealed the pattern of a hull. Iron spirals showed the shape of the dragon’s head at the prow, and seven long rows of iron rivets outlined the vanished planks. The Ladby ship was narrower than the Norwegian ships and appeared not to be seaworthy; 20.6 meters long and only 3.2 wide. Critics did not believe the accounts that were told in the sagas of much larger longships with the same amazing
There were several different types of viking ships. One example was the longship drekar with its dragon head. They crossed open oceans under sail and then for their lightening fast attacks on undefended towns and monasteries, they switched to oars. They surpass contemporary English and Frankish vessels with their lightweight technology and efficiency. These longships carried Viking raiders long distances, sometimes all the way to North Africa.
Their expertise …show more content…
They fashioned a deck and rowing benches with crossbeams next, and attached a massive beam that supported the mast along the keel.
The longships success could be attributed to the longships’ light, efficient construction. Replicas made in modern times have been able to reach speeds of up to 14 knots. In contrast to modern sailboats, the absence of a large vertical keel meant they were highly maneuverable and could navigate shallow waters including river estuaries. They steered the vessel using a single side rudder on the right or ‘starboard side’. Apparently the term ‘starboard’ is thought to have been coined during this era.
The longest longship built by the Vikings was discovered in September 1997 by Danish archaeologists in the mud of Roskilde Harbor, 25 miles west of Copenhagen. It was lying next to the world-renowned Viking Ship Museum at Roskilde; it was found during an expansion of the harbor for the museum’s fleet of historic replica …show more content…
Only the shadow of a ship remained, the stained soil revealed the pattern of a hull. Iron spirals showed the shape of the dragon’s head at the prow, and seven long rows of iron rivets outlined the vanished planks. The Ladby ship was narrower than the Norwegian ships and appeared not to be seaworthy; 20.6 meters long and only 3.2 wide. Critics did not believe the accounts that were told in the sagas of much larger longships with the same amazing