I headed into the National Museum to check out the Sea Stallion, pictured above. They found the original ship (Skuldelev 2) in Denmark in the 60s. With analysis of the rings in the wooden planks of the remains, they were able to determine that this boat had been made in Dublin in 1042.
Ireland's history is one of successive invasion. At that time the Vikings were in the ascendant and Dublin (Dyflin) was the major trading centre of the Western Viking World. It's clear from this find that the Vikings who settled in Ireland brought their skills with them. The focus was on making ships that were light, maneuverable and capable of transporting a lot of people across the open sea. All the better for plundering our poor monasteries (remember we were the Island of Saints and Scholars at the time). I keed, I keed!
The Scandinavian method at the time was clinker-building. This involves making a shell of overlapping planks of wood. Then, wool is soaked in tar and stuffed in the gaps to make shell watertight. More supporting planks are added to the inside of the structure. Then the ship's frame is held together with strong nails.
The Danish team of archaeologists strictly followed these ship-building techniques in constructing the replica. It took about four years, from 2000-2004. They were so confident in their work that they felt able to sail it all the way from Roskilde to Dublin. And it'll be going back again soon.
For those of you who enjoy statistics: it's made of oak, it's 30 metres long and 3.8 metres wide, it uses 60 oars and could carry 60-70 people.
Ireland's history is one of successive invasion. At that time the Vikings were in the ascendant and Dublin (Dyflin) was the major trading centre of the Western Viking World. It's clear from this find that the Vikings who settled in Ireland brought their skills with them. The focus was on making ships that were light, maneuverable and capable of transporting a lot of people across the open sea. All the better for plundering our poor monasteries (remember we were the Island of Saints and Scholars at the time). I keed, I keed!
The Scandinavian method at the time was clinker-building. This involves making a shell of overlapping planks of wood. Then, wool is soaked in tar and stuffed in the gaps to make shell watertight. More supporting planks are added to the inside of the structure. Then the ship's frame is held together with strong nails.
The Danish team of archaeologists strictly followed these ship-building techniques in constructing the replica. It took about four years, from 2000-2004. They were so confident in their work that they felt able to sail it all the way from Roskilde to Dublin. And it'll be going back again soon.
For those of you who enjoy statistics: it's made of oak, it's 30 metres long and 3.8 metres wide, it uses 60 oars and could carry 60-70 people.
A prize to whoever can tell me what part of the ship this was
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