Vikings

 

=**Viking Expansion** =



=Who Was Leif Ericson? =

=Runes - The written language of the Vikings=



=**10 Viking Ship Facts**=

I. Used Not as War Ships but as Continuous platformsThe ships that were used by the Vikings to wage wars were long and robust. By themselves, the Viking Long Ships were never utili__z__ed by the Vikings to serve as a war vessel, but rather such numerous long ships were tied to make a continuous platform on shallow water areas, enabling the naval warriors to stave off attacks and defend themselves respectably – without offering any advantage to either party.

II. Ships as RewardViking ships were highly regarded for the resourcefulness and utility. The long ships that were conquered were souvenirs for the victors as a demonstration of their superior naval strength.

III. Unique Design, Easy ManeuverabilityThe Viking Long Ships were categori__z__ed for their flatness, lightness, and speed (around 15 knots). Their length did not hinder the ships’ movement in the waters and the ships could be used to move in the shallower waters as well. The unique design of the ships made changing directions easy and abruptly in the water. IV. Viking Ships also used as Funeral ShipsSuperstitions played a major role in the Scandinavian culture. One important superstitious attribute was that of the Viking funeral ritual. A unique mummification, the Viking funeral ceremony involved a dead person being elaborately dressed in finery and placed in a Viking vessel. The Scandinavians believed that the Viking ships could carry the dead to the deserved hereafter, making the funeral rites so detailed.

V. Extensively used as Cargo ShipsApart from long ships, the Vikings also used commercial vessels for cargo hauling and transportation.- The Knarr was a boat that was used for major long distance voyages in the Atlantic Ocean with a cargo capacitance of 50 tons.- The Karves were used for ferrying passengers and could be used in the shallower water parts. Apart from ferrying of passengers, the Karves were also used to carry small cargo and farm animals.- The most commonly used boat was the Faering, incorporating a simple oaring mechanism.

VI. Unique DesignDesigning aspects of Viking vessels were note worthy. The vessels were built of wood overlapped and supported with the help of iron impales. The edges of the boat were curved in the form of dragon warheads, creating an aura of veneration across.

VII. Dual Maneuvering CapabilityViking boats and ships could be dually maneuv__e__red. When required the sails would be used and when the need arose, the oarsmen could maneuver the ship appropriately. The presence of the oars made the ship movement incredibly easy in the shallow water parts.

VIII. Vikings Invented Ship Keel. The world owes the innovation of the concept of keel to the Vikings. In order to reduce the sustained dependence on wind power, the Vikings came up with the designing of the keel, which could offer stability to the vessel for extended periods – laterally. IX. No Sitting or Storing SpaceAn oaring ship has pre-designated places for the oarsmen to power the oars. The Viking vessels contrarily did not have any specific seating area for the oarsmen. This flexibility allowed the Vikings to conserve space in the vessel without having to compromise on the maneuverability aspect.

X. Robust Ships and Unique Navigation TricksIn terms of navigation, the Viking sailors used whale sightings to decipher and determine the course of their journey. In addition to whales, the then prescribed methods using the sun as a focal navigating point was also used by the Viking navigators. Moreover, Viking ships were supposed to be known as the most robust and beautiful ships of the ancient marine world. The Vikings provided a completely different perspective of water navigation from the then existing standards. Their way of thinking and their ability to design vessels to enhance their marine transportation capacitance, makes the Vikings’ architectural abilities worth appreciating and admiring.