Viking Ships

History 315 Final Project by Michael Noland, WS 2003

Hist 315

Viking Ships

Examining the archaeological evidence of ships in Norway and Denmark, and its impact on our understanding of

Viking nautical technology.


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Map of regions discussedMap of regions discussed

Gokstad

Oseberg

Tune

Skuldelev


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Visual GlossaryVisual Glossary

Keelson (also called the Keelson (also called the cronecrone))

BulkheadBulkhead

KeelKeel

KneeKnee

Floor TimberFloor Timber

ScarfScarf

Gunwale or GunnelGunwale or Gunnel(the top strake)(the top strake)

A strake (layerA strake (layerof planks)of planks)


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Clinker-Build ConstructionClinker-Build Construction Clinker-build construction is where

successive layers of planks or strakes overlap one another slightly, with the bottom strake attached directly to the keel.

Calking is stuffed between each strake as the ship is constructed, usually consisting of tarred animal hair.

Successive strakes are attached using iron nails and washers, with trenails (wooden pegs) spaced in between.

This hull-first construction results in a flexible craft that can sail rough seas easier.

Illustrationof the overlapping strakes in clinker-built ships


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Timber typesTimber types

The keystone to a Viking boat was its keel. This T sectioned beam forms the backbone of the ship and the bottom strake (row of planks) attaches to it. The keel in all of the finds has been made of oak, and is almost always a single continuous piece from stem to stern.

Oak was used for the strakes in the Norway finds, but pine was used for many of the strakes in the Skuldelev wrecks 1, 5, and 6.

Strangely, ash was used for the gunwale (top strake) in Skuldelev wreck 5.


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Preparing the timberPreparing the timber Unlike modern techniques, the Vikings prepared their planks by

radially cutting logs with an axe. This produces thin wedge shaped planks which are ideal for

clinker-built construction. This is clearly seen in several of the Skuldelev wrecks. On wreck

5, strakes vary in width by as much as a centimeter from top to bottom, and exhibit a slight elliptical bulge.


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Preparing the timber (cont.)Preparing the timber (cont.)

The planks have cleats carved out of them where the ribs are to be placed, so the two can be lashed together.

This is done by leaving the cleats at the original thickness and removing the surrounding wood.

Since the strakes (after the first) are not directly connected to the keel, the ship has some flexibility.


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Using natural wood shapesUsing natural wood shapes

To improve structural strength, portions of ships that required severe angles or sharp curves were often constructed from naturally crooked wood.

Since the tree had grown in the pattern desired, a natural piece is much stronger than a straight piece bent to fit.

The beam ‘knees’ and rowlocks on smaller ships are a common example of this.


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RowingRowing

Oar ports were placed along the length of warships.

They were clustered at either end of a cargo ship, to allow cargo to fully occupy the center of the ship.

Smaller vessels used oar locks in place of oar ports.

Cargo ships were usually propelled by sail, resorting to rowing only in calm seas or during harbor maneuvers.

An oarlock. A cord was run throughthe hole around the oar to keep it in place.

A cargo ship, showing the non-

uniform placements of the oar ports.


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The mastThe mast Sails were a relatively new

development at the dawn of the Viking age. The first archaeological evidence for rigging was found on the Oseberg ship.

The mast for a Viking ship was removable, and had to be easily and quickly raised and lowered.

A mastfish is a large block of wood attached to the decking and provides additional support for the mast.

The Gokstad mastfish, showing the mast lock in place.


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The mast (continued)The mast (continued) Although no complete masts

have survived, a maximum length for a given ship can be established by the distance from the keelson to the stern.

The Oseberg mastfish only spanned 4 crossbeams and provided inadequate support, as it cracked at some point and had to be reinforced with iron bands.

The Gokstad mastfish is much more developed and spans 6 crossbeams, supported on each side by strong knees.

Viking sailors raising the mast. The mast-lock, which helps to secure the mast when in

place, can be seen lying on the deck.


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Norway FindsNorway Finds A royal burial mound in Oseberg has

yielded an exquisite karfi, a kind of Viking age yacht, as well as the remains of two women and a wide variety of grave goods. It is the earliest evidence for Nordic sailing ships.

The Gokstad ship, found in another burial mound, is younger than the Oseberg ship and more advanced, with a fully developed keel and stronger crone.

The Tune ship dates to around the same time as the Gokstad ship, and was badly damaged, although it still serves to exhibit important construction details.

The prow of the Oseberg ship


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Oseberg Oseberg karfikarfi

Found in a large burial mound in Vestfold.

Built around 815 to 820 CE, and used as a burial ship for a royal woman in 834 CE.

In addition to the boat, the burial mound also yielded a rich trove of wooden objects and textiles that seldom survive the ravages of time.

Classified as a karfi, a sort of Viking age yacht.

On display at the Vikingskipshuset


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Oseberg Oseberg karfi karfi (continued)(continued)

Built of oak, it is neither a cargo ship nor a warship, although it could function as either.

21.58 m long, 5.1 m wide amidships, 1.58 m from gunnel to keel.

12 strakes, secured with iron nails. 15 oarports set in the top strake, and

the mound included a full set of oars. It is estimated that it could reach a

speed of 10 knots with a 90 m2 sail.


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Gokstad warshipGokstad warship

Found in a large burial mound on the Gokstad farm in Vestfold.

Largest and best preserved of the Norway ships considered here.

Built around 890 CE, and used in a ship burial around 900 CE.

24 m long and 5 m wide amidships.

The grave furnishings included 3 smalls boats (faerings), a tent, and riding equipment.


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Gokstad warship (continued)Gokstad warship (continued)

Built of oak except for pine decking.

Clinker-built with sixteen strakes.

Estimated that the ship could reach speeds over 12 knots with a 110 m2 sail.

Oarports cut into the 14th

strake, 16 to a side. The oarports each had small

wooden covers that pivoted into place to prevent water getting in while under sail.On display at the Vikingskipshuset


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TuneTune

Found at Rolvsøy in Østfold Built around 900 CE, and later

used to bury a chieftain. The ship was badly damaged. Still a good example of a

clinker-built Viking ship with overlapping strakes.

The hull’s shape is maintained by straps passing through holes in the ribs and the corresponding cleats on the strakes.

On display at the Vikingskipshuset


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Skuldelev FindsSkuldelev Finds

A large cargo ship (wreck 1), a smaller cargo ship (wreck 3) and a medium sized warship (wreck 5) were intentionally sunk some time between 1070 and 1090 CE to block the Roskilde fjord.

A large warship (2/4) and another ship (6) were sunk to renew the blockade some time in the first half of the 12th century.

Wreck 2/4 was originally identified as two different ships because of its large size.

A view of the Peberrenden passage, showing the lie of the

Skuldelev ships


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Skuldelev Wreck 1: Cargo shipSkuldelev Wreck 1: Cargo ship

16.3 m long, 4.5 m wide and 2.1 m deep amidships, as reconstructed.

Rigged for a square sail around 80 m2m.

Constructed between 1030 and 1050 CE, and repaired around Oslo and Scania, according to dendro-chronological dating.

Medium sized cargo ship that could carry around 25 tons.

Skuldelev 1, with a metal rail projecting what the ship would

have looked like complete


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Skuldelev Wreck 2/4: WarshipSkuldelev Wreck 2/4: Warship

29.3 m long, 3.7 m wide and 1.8 m deep amidships, as reconstructed.

According to dendro-chronological dating, it was built after 1055 CE in Dublin.

It is an example of a ‘typical’ Viking longship as portrayed in saga and art.

None of the strakes with oarports survived, but an estimate of a crew of 60 warriors seems reasonable.

Theoretical projection of the shape of wreck 2/4, based on the surviving planking and sternpost.


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Skuldelev Wreck 3: Small cargo shipSkuldelev Wreck 3: Small cargo ship

It is one of the best preserved Viking ships found.

Its mast support and sail rigging have significantly influenced modern knowledge of square sail rigging.

Several replicas have been built, including one by the Roskilde museum, called the “Roar Edge”

Skuldelev Wreck 3 on display in the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum


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Skuldelev Wreck 5: Local warshipSkuldelev Wreck 5: Local warship

17.5 m long, 2.5 m wide amidships, with a draught of 0.6 m, as reconstructed.

The frequent, poor repairs indicates that it may be a Leidang ship, built in obligation to a king.

Probably had 13 pairs of oars. The Viking ship museum in

Roskilde has built a replica called the Helge Ask

The replica “Helge Ask”


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Skuldelev Wreck 6: Fishing VesselSkuldelev Wreck 6: Fishing Vessel The oak keel as preserved is 8.11 m,

and was probably no longer than 8.4 m. All of the planking is pine and dates to

western Norway some time after 1027. At some point after construction, the 7th

strake was added, which blocked most of the oarports, so the ship would have had to be propelled by sail or other more esoteric means.

The actual purpose of the ship is uncertain, but it may have been a fishing or whaling boat, and was certainly designed to carry a heavy cargo.

Cross-section diagram of the unusually heavy framing in

Skuldelev Wreck 6


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Skuldelev: OverviewSkuldelev: OverviewShip Type Length / specs Construction Origin

Wreck 1 Cargo ship, possibly a knarr / knorr

13 – 16 m, cargo capacity around 24 tons

Pine planking, rigging for a single square sail

Built around 1040 in Norway, repaired around 1065

Wreck 2/4 Warship 29.3 m as reconstructed

Entirely oak, but the wreck was in a poor state.

Built after 1055 CE, probably in Dublin, Ireland

Wreck 3 Cargo ship 9 – 12 m, cargo capacity around 4-5 tons

Oak planking, much surviving rigging

Old by the time of blockade (1070-1090 CE)

Wreck 5 Warship, probably a Leidang ship

15 – 18 m, probably with 13 oars per side

Oak keel, ash gunwale, some pine planking

Built around 1030-1050 CE, repaired numerous times

Wreck 6 Probably a fishing boat

9 – 11 m, designed for heavy loads

Oak keel, pine planking, mostly used under sail

After 1027 CE, built in Norway


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BibliographyBibliography Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking World. Published by Ticknor &

Fields, 1980 Cagner, Ewert. The Viking. Published by Cagner & Co., 1966 Nicolaysen, N.. The Viking-Ship from Gokstad. Republished by Gregg

International Publishers Limited. The NAVIS project, supported by the European Commission Directorate

General X http://www2.rgzm.de/Navis/Home/NoFrames.htm Nordic Underwater Archaeology http://www.subarch.com/ Universitetets kulturhistoriske museer: Vikingskipshuset (The Viking Ship

Museum) http://www.ukm.uio.no/vikingskipshuset/engelsk/utstillingene.shtml

Viking Ships

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