Viking ships on voyages

One aim of the sailing trials is to contribute to the other archaeological and technical descriptions of ships by explaining their practical use, and also revealing the opportunities this use had provided for the society that originally produced them. Or, in other words: what opportunities were provided by the construction, cargo-carrying capacity, sailing abilities and seaworthiness of these ships for contemporary transport and communication? 

Another aim is to provide figures for the ship’s performance that can be compared with data from other types of vessel which have been investigated, both from the Viking Age and other periods. These figures can also be compared with information from contemporary written sources concerning travelling speed at sea. 

Finally, the sailing trials also have the aim of training the ships’ crews in handling these large open vessels and safely carrying out manoeuvres in all kinds of weather with the long forgotten and therefore unaccustomed single square rig technique. This includes, of course, both veering and tacking under sail, reefing, taking in sails, laying to, picking up people who have fallen overboard and, in the case of the warships and small boats, rowing. 

The general working method used in carrying out the experimental voyages is ‘experimental archaeology’. The experimental part of the archaeology is based on a ‘hands-on’ form of research and communication. 

It is therefore necessary to sail in order to be able to interpret the use and importance of ships in the past, just as it is necessary to sail in order to practise and preserve the practical seamanship which is the essential craft needed to handle ships such as these. 

Among others things, the voyages resulted in hundreds of lognotes. These notes can be found under the individual voyages.

Armchair comments

The Viking Ship Museum has asked a number of experts to comment on the Sea Stallion’s voyage to Dublin, based upon their personal knowledge and experience.
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