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Viking ship

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This article is about Nordic ships of the Viking Age. For ships named "Viking", see Viking (disambiguation).

A modern replica of a Viking ship. This ship is of the snekkja longship type.

Viking ships were marine vessels of unique structure, used in Scandinavia from the Viking Age throughout the Middle Ages. The boat-types were quite varied, depending on what the ship was intended for,[1] but they were generally characterized as being slender and flexible boats, with symmetrical ends with true keel. They were clinker built, which is the overlapping of planks riveted together. Some might have had a dragon's head or other circular object protruding from the bow and stern for design, although this is only inferred from historical sources. Viking ships were used both for military purposes and for long-distance trade, exploration and colonization.[2]

Viking ship pictured in the coat of arms of Saare County, Estonia

In the literature, Viking ships are usually seen divided into two broad categories: merchant ships and warships, the latter resembling narrow "war canoes" with less load capacity, but higher speed. However, these categories are overlapping; some transport ships would also form part of war fleets. As a rule, ship lanes in Scandinavia followed coastal waters, hence a majority of vessels were of a lighter design, while a few types, such as the knarr, could navigate the open ocean. The Viking ships ranged from the Baltic Sea to far from the Scandinavian homelands, to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Newfoundland, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and Africa.[3]

The ship's shallow draft allowed navigation in waters only one meter deep and permitted beach landings, while its light weight enabled it to be carried over portages.

Development

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The ship has been functioning as the centerpiece of Scandinavian culture for millennia, serving both pragmatic and religious purposes, and its importance was already deeply rooted in the Scandinavian culture when the Viking Age began. Scandinavia is a region with relatively high inland mountain ranges, dense forests and easy access to the sea with many natural ports. Consequently, trade routes were primarily operated via shipping, as inland travel was both more hazardous and cumbersome. Many stone engravings from the Nordic Stone Age and in particular the Nordic Bronze Age, depict ships in various situations and valuable ships were sacrificed as part of ceremonial votive offerings since at least the Nordic Iron Age, as evidenced by the Hjortspring and Nydam boats.

The Viking Age saw the first local developments of trading ports into forts and coastal towns, all of which were deeply dependent on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea for survival and growth. Control of the waterways was of great economical and political importance, and consequently, ships were in high demand. Because of their overwhelming importance, ships became a mainstay of the Viking religion, as they evolved into symbols of power and prowess. The Hedeby coins, among the earliest known Danish currency, have impressions of ships as emblems, showing the importance of naval vessels in the area. Through such cultural and practical significance, the Viking ship progressed into the most powerful, advanced naval vessel in Viking Age Europe.

Knarr

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Main article: Knarr

Knarr is the Norse term for ships that were built for cargo transport. A length of about 54 feet (16 m) and a beam of 15 feet (4.6 m) are not untypical, and the hull could be capable of carrying up to 24 tons.[4] Overall displacement: 50 tons. This is shorter than the Gokstad type of longships, but knarrs are sturdier by design and they depended mostly on sail-power, only putting oars to use as auxiliaries if there was no wind on the open water. Because of this, the knarr was used for longer voyages, ocean-going transports and more hazardous trips than the Gokstad type. It was capable of sailing 75 miles (121 km) in one day, and held a crew of about 20–30. Knarrs[5] routinely crossed the North Atlantic in the Viking Age, carrying livestock and goods to and from Greenland and the North Atlantic islands. The design of the knarr later influenced the design of the cog, used in the Baltic Sea by the Hanseatic League. Examples of Viking Age knarr are Skuldelev 1, which was excavated in Denmark in 1962 and is believed to be from about 1030 AD, and the Äskekärr ship [sv], which was found in Sweden in 1933 and is believed to be from about 930 AD.[6]

Longship

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Main article: Longship
The Gokstad ship, on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway

Longships were naval vessels made and used by the Vikings from Scandinavia and Iceland for trade, commerce, exploration, and warfare during the Viking Age. The longship's design evolved over many years, as seen in the Nydam and Kvalsund ships. The character and appearance of these ships have been reflected in Scandinavian boatbuilding traditions until today. The average speed of Viking ships varied from ship to ship but lay in the range of 5 to 10 knots (9 to 19 km/h), and the maximum speed of a longship under favorable conditions was around 15 knots (28 km/h).[7]

The long-ship is as a graceful, long, narrow, light, wooden boat with a shallow draft hull designed for speed. The ship's shallow draft allowed navigation in waters only one meter deep and permitted beach landings, while its light weight enabled it to be carried over portages. Longships were also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around. Longships were fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Later versions sported a rectangular sail on a single mast which was used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys.

Longships can be classified into a number of different types, depending on size, construction details, and prestige. The most common way to classify longships is by the number of rowing positions on board. Types ranged from the Karvi, with 13 rowing benches, to the Busse, one of which has been found with an estimated 34 rowing positions.

Longships were the epitome of Scandinavian naval power at the time and were highly valued possessions. They were owned by coastal farmers and assembled by the king to form the leidang in times of conflict, in order to have a powerful naval force at his disposal. While longships were deployed by the Norse in warfare, there are no descriptions of naval tactics such as ramming, etc. Instead, the ships would sometimes be lashed together in battle to form a steady platform for infantry warfare. Longships were called dragonships (drakuskippan) by the Franks because they had a dragon-shaped prow.[8]

Karve

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Main article: Karve (ship)

The Karve was a small type of Viking longship, with a broad hull somewhat similar to the knarr. They were used for both war and ordinary transport, carrying people, cargo or livestock. Because they were able to navigate in very shallow water, they were also used for coasting. Karves typically had broad beams of approximately 17 feet (5.2 m).

Ship construction

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Viking ships varied from other contemporary ships, being generally more seaworthy and lighter. This was achieved through use of clinker (lapstrake) construction. The planks on Viking vessels were rived (split) from large, old-growth trees — especially oak. A ship's hull could be as thin as one inch (2.5 cm), as a rived plank is stronger than a sawed plank found in later craft, resulting in a strong yet supple hull.[9]

Working up from a stout oaken keel and ribs, the shipwrights would rivet on the planks using wrought iron rivets and roves, reinforced with added support ribs and thwarts. Each tier of planks overlapped the one below, and a caulking of tarred cow's hair was used between planks to create a waterproof hull.

Remarkably large vessels could be constructed using traditional clinker construction. Dragon-ships carrying 100 warriors were not uncommon.[10]

Furthermore, during the early Viking Age, oar ports replaced rowlocks, allowing oars to be stored while the ship was at sail and to provide better angles for rowing. The largest ships of the era could travel five to six knots using oar power and up to ten knots under sail.[11]

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The Söderala vane, presumably once used on a Viking ship

With such technological improvements, the Vikings began to make more and more ocean voyages, as their ships were more seaworthy. However, in order to sail in ocean waters, the Vikings needed to develop methods of relatively precise navigation. Most commonly, a ship's pilot drew on traditional knowledge to set the ship's course. Essentially, the Vikings simply used prior familiarity with tides, sailing times, and landmarks in order to route courses. For example, scholars contend that the sighting of a whale allowed the Vikings to determine the direction of a ship. Because whales feed in highly nutritious waters, commonly found in regions where landmasses have pushed deep-water currents towards shallower areas, the sighting of a whale functioned as a signal that land was near.

On the other hand, some academics have proposed that the Vikings also developed more advanced aids to navigation, such as the use of a sun compass. A wooden half-disc found on the shores of Narsarsuaq, Greenland initially seemed to support this hypothesis. However, further investigation of the object revealed that the slits inscribed in the disc are disproportionately spaced, and so the object could not in fact function as an accurate compass. Rather it has been suggested that the instrument is instead a “confession disc” used by priests to count the number of confessions in their parish.[12] Similarly, researchers and historians continually debate the use of the sunstone in Viking navigation. Because a sunstone is able to polarize light, it is a plausible method for determining direction. By showing which direction light waves are oscillating, the sunstone has the potential to show the sun's position even when the sun is obscured by clouds. The stone changes to a certain color, based on the direction of the waves, but only when the object is held in an area with direct sunlight. Thus, most scholars debate the reliability and the plausibility of using a navigational tool that can only determine direction in such limited conditions.[13]

Viking sagas routinely tell of voyages where Vikings suffered from being "hafvilla" (bewildered)—voyages beset by fog or bad weather, where they completely lost their sense of direction. This description suggests they did not use a sunstone when the sun was obscured. Moreover, the fact that this same bewilderment could arise when the winds died suggests that the Vikings relied on prevailing winds to navigate, as expected if their skills depended principally on traditional knowledge.[14]

Ship design

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Viking ships were not only tools for navigation but also cultural symbols with high artistic design value. The carved patterns on Viking ships are known for their intricate geometric patterns, mythological creatures, and symbolic designs, primarily found on the bow, stern, and other wooden structures. These carvings were not only decorative but also embodied the Vikings' cultural and religious beliefs. Common Viking ship carving patterns and themes include animal motifs, geometric designs, mythological scenes, and inscriptions.

Animal motifs

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Animal head post found in burial mound near Tønsberg (Oseberg ship burial), 9th century, Oseberg style, wood and paint (no longer existing) [15]

Many Viking ships had intricately carved dragon heads or other mythical creatures on the bow and stern. These carvings served as a means to intimidate enemies and protect the sailors during their journeys. These carvings were not merely decorative but symbolized the Vikings' reverence for nature and their societal beliefs. The quality and intricate design of the ship indicated the resources invested by its owner. Many Viking lords and nobles used large, elaborately carved ships to showcase their social status. Thus, ships were not only tools for war and exploration but also symbols of family identity. Possessing a well-carved ship symbolized a family's wealth and influence, highlighting their place in Viking society.[16] The craftsmanship of Viking ships was undoubtedly top-notch for its time. Constructing such a ship required highly skilled artisans and a significant amount of time, with materials and decorative elements often being costly. Therefore, these ships symbolized a family's honor and prosperity. Viking ships were not only works of art but also ways for people to display social status, particularly through their exquisite dragon head carvings and intricate geometric patterns, which reflected the high level of craftsmanship and artistic value.

Part of the interlocking animal motif on the bow of the Oseberg Ship.

In some archaeological discoveries, experts found that the hulls of ships were adorned with rich patterns, such as intertwining vines, geometric shapes, or animal totems. These patterns are filled with symbolic meanings, many of which can be traced back to Viking mythology and belief systems. The famous Oseberg Ship, for example, has an interlocking animal motif on its bow: a ribbon-animal, gripping-beasts rendered with humanoid heads, and more ambiguous forms that echo the bodies of creatures seen at the prow. Such style is called the Oseberg Style, which is the first phase of the development of the Viking aesthetic, lasting from the year 775 to the year 850. It is famous for its intertwining zoomorphic patterns of “Gripping Beasts” and “Ribbon-Animals”.[17]

This citation from a French historian, a monk at the St. Omer monastery in Flanders, provides a detailed description of Viking ships, focusing on their elaborate decoration and organization. The account mentions that the Viking chieftains' ships were distinguished by unique designs on the bow, including gold lion figures, wind-vanes with birds, and animal carvings of drakes, bulls, and dolphins in bronze or precious metals. The ships’ sides were painted in vibrant colors and adorned with wood carvings, particularly the king's vessel, which was the most intricately decorated. This passage serves as valuable evidence of the Vikings’ investment in ship artistry as a reflection of power, wealth, and rank. The choice of metal animal motifs and the intricate designs on prominent vessels reveal how these ships were not only functional but also designed to display status and intimidate.[18]

Geometric Designs

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Viking ship carvings are renowned for their smooth, intricate swirling patterns, often found on the hull and other wooden parts of the ship. These patterns are not only beautiful but also contain religious and cosmic symbolism. For example, the interlocking designs symbolize ideas of life cycles and rebirth, resonating with the Norse mythological concept of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. In Viking mythology, Yggdrasil is a giant ash tree representing the center of the universe, connecting the heavens, earth, and underworld.[19] It embodies the interweaving of all life and events. Vikings believed that by carving these patterns on ships, sailors could gain the tree's protective power.

Furthermore, the designs on Viking ships were often symmetrical geometric shapes or repeated curves, which were not only visually appealing but also reflected the Vikings' profound understanding of nature. These decorative styles are common in Viking art, often referred to as “Viking Animal Style” or “Viking Geometric Style.”[20] This style indicates the Vikings' appreciation of order, cycles, and vitality, making the ships more than just vehicles; they were spiritual symbols as well.

Religious Symbolism

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Viking ships held significant roles in religious rituals, especially in Viking ship burial ceremonies. Vikings believed that death was not the end but a journey to another world. As a vessel that could cross boundaries, the ship became a symbol of this “journey,” particularly in the burials of prominent individuals. Ships were used as grave goods to help the deceased “sail” to the afterlife. Large burial ships like the Oseberg Ship provide crucial evidence of Viking burial practices.[21]

Ship burial

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See also: Ship burial
The Ladby ship is part of a ship burial that has been preserved where it was discovered, with a museum built around it

Prominent men or women in Norse society sometimes received a ship burial. The body of the deceased would be prepared and dressed in fine clothes and then be transported to the burial-place in a wagon drawn by horses. The deceased would be placed on the ship, along with many prized possessions. Horses, dogs and occasionally thralls and households might also be sacrificially killed and buried with the deceased. The origin and meaning of these customs remain unknown. Several examples of Viking ship burials have been excavated, e.g. the Oseberg ship in Norway, containing the remains of two women, the Gokstad ship in Norway, and the Ladby ship in Denmark.

There are literary sources such as the Norse Skjoldunga Saga and the Ynglinga Saga which describe more literal "ship burials" in which the deceased and goods are placed on a boat in the water and the vessel is launched into the sea, sometimes being shot with burning arrows and vanishing into the night, ablaze. Nothcotte Toller, however, states:

Whether such fiery funerals ever actually took place is impossible to know; but it is much more difficult to imagine that a king's body and accompanying treasures would have been simply pushed out to sea, where they would have been in danger of returning, or of falling into the hands of strangers or even enemies who might maltreat the one and plunder the other.[22]

Burial of ships is an ancient tradition in Scandinavia, stretching back to at least the Nordic Iron Age, as evidenced by the Hjortspring boat (400–300 BC) or the Nydam boats (200–450 AD), for example. Ships and bodies of water have held major spiritual importance in the Norse cultures since at least the Nordic Bronze Age.

Preserved ships

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The remains of the Oseberg Ship, now located in the Viking Ship Museum (Oslo)
The remains of Skuldelev 3 in the Viking Ship Museum (Roskilde)

Several original Viking ships have been found through the ages, but only a few have been relatively intact. The most notable of these few ships include:

  • Gokstad ship: overall length – approximately 23.3 m (76 ft)
  • Oseberg ship: overall length – approximately 21.5 m (71 ft)
  • Skuldelev ships: five ships found at the same location, from about 11.2 to 30 m (37 to 98 ft) long
  • Tune ship: may have been up to 18.7 m (61 ft) long

Examples of other Viking ships, including some that are relatively well-preserved and some, where only very small parts remain:

Have been regarded as Viking ships, but from before or after the Viking Age:

Replicas

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Main article: Viking ship replica

Viking ship replicas are one of the more common types of ship replica. Viking, the first Viking ship replica, was built by the Rødsverven shipyard in Sandefjord, Norway. In 1893 it sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Chicago for the World's Columbian Exposition. There are a considerable number of modern reconstructions of Viking Age ships in service around Northern Europe and North America. The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark, has been particularly prolific in building accurate reconstructions of archaeological finds in its collection.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Eldar Heide (2014). The early Viking Ship types (Sjøfartshistorisk årbok 2050. 81–153.)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  2. ^ Jones, Gwyn, A history of the Vikings (Oxford 2001).
  3. ^ Were also seen in the Egypt Red Sea
  4. ^ Peter Sawyer, (1975) The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings. Oxford University Press ISBN 978-0-19-285434-6 ISBN 0-19-285434-8
  5. ^ Plural of knarr is knerrir.
  6. ^ "Discovered: A Viking Ship!" (PDF). www.lodose.eu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Fejl: Siden blev ikke fundet / adgang er ikke tilladt". Vikingeskibsmuseet Roskilde. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  8. ^ Ervan G. Garrison (1998). History of Engineering and Technology: Artful Methods. CRC Press. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-8493-9810-0. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  9. ^ Lapstrake hull schematic Archived 17 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Stephen Batchelor (30 April 2010). Medieval History For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-470-66460-5.
  11. ^ Richard Hall, The World of the Vikings (New York, 2007), 55.
  12. ^ Hall, The World of the Vikings, 54.
  13. ^ Oscar Noel and Sue Ann Bowling (21 March 1988). "Polar Navigation and the Sky Compass: Article #865". Alaska Science Forum. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  14. ^ Hafvilla: A Note on Norse Navigation, G. J. Marcus, Speculum, Vol. 30, No. 4 (Oct. 1955), pp. 601–05, Published by: Medieval Academy of America, https://www.jstor.org/stable/2849616 Archived 30 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 2 November 2011).
  15. ^ "Smarthistory – Art of the Viking Age". smarthistory.org. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  16. ^ Hale, John R. (February 1998). "The Viking Longship". Scientific American. 278 (2): 56–63. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0298-56. JSTOR 26057665 – via JSTOR.
  17. ^ "Smarthistory – Art of the Viking Age". smarthistory.org. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  18. ^ Per, Bruun (1997). "The Viking Ship". Journal of Coastal Research. 13 (4): 1282–1289. JSTOR 4298737 – via JSTOR.
  19. ^ "Viking Age Religion and Beliefs". Follow The Vikings. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  20. ^ root (8 June 2014). "Viking Art: The Six Art Styles". History. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  21. ^ "How Did The Vikings Honor Their Dead?". HISTORY. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  22. ^ Thomas Nothcotte Toller (2003). Textual and Material Culture in Anglo-Saxon England. D.S. Brewer. p. 43.
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