Skuldelev ships

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The Skuldelev ships is a term used for 5 Viking ships recovered from Peberrenden by Skuldelev, c. 20 km north of Roskilde in Denmark. The remains of the ships were excavated over a 4 month period in 1962. The recovered pieces, which constitute 5 different types of ships and have been dated to the 11th century, provide a good source for the ship-building traditions of the late Viking period. The ships are today exibited at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.

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[edit] Skuldelev 1

Skuldelev 1 is a sturdy sea-going cargo-vessel possibly of the longship type. It is 16 m long and 4,8m wide and would have had a crew of 6-8. The ship, which is built from pine and oak was constructed in western Sweden and has seen repairs in eastern Denmark.

[edit] Skuldelev 2

Skuldelev 2 is an oak-built, sea-going warship, a longship, possibly of the skeid type. It is approximately 30 m long and 3,8 m wide, and would have had a crew of 70-80. The ship was built in the Dublin area around 1042. The shape of the ship would have allowed for great speed, up to 15 knots with a rowing crew of 60 and higher under sail. It is one of the longest viking-ship ever found.

A reconstruction of this ship: The Seastallion from Glendalough has been built by the Vikingship Museum in Roskilde and will sail back to Dublin during the sumnmer of 2007 (arriving on the 14th of August).

[edit] Skuldelev 3

The Skuldelev 3 is a 14 m long and 3,3 m wide cargo ship, possibly of the byrding type. It is made from oak, and is constructed somewhere in Denmark. It has been well-suited to shorter journeys in Danish waters and the Baltic Sea. Skuldelev 3 would have held a crew of 5-6, and could reach a top-speed of 8,5 knots under sail.

[edit] Skuldelev 5

Skuldelev 5 is a small warship of the snekke type. It is 17,3 m long and 2,5 m wide and would have had a crew of about 30. It is made from oak, pine and ash, and was built in the Roskilde area. The ship was purpose-built for sailing in Danish waters and the Baltic Sea, and the top speed would have been about 6 knots.

[edit] Skuldelev 6

The Skuldelev 6 is a 11,2 m long and 2,5 m wide cargo and fishing-vessel of the ferja type. It was built in Sognefjorden in western Norway, and is mainly built from pine. It would have had a crew of 12-14.


[edit] External link

The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde

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