Kraka Fyr 1998 and Skjoldungen 2010
In 1998, the museum's boatbuilders reconstructed Skuldelev 6, the fishing boat from western Norway. Skuldelev 6 was originally built as relatively low-boarded (six strakes) with 14 oarports. But after some time the ship was converted into a cargo carrier. By removing the rowlocks and adding a seventh strake it was made more capacious and seaworthy.
The reconstruction Kraka Fyr is build in its original design - as a fishing boat. The construction project was the first in which we worked with planks of pine rather than oak.
Modifications from the first reconstruction
Twelve years later, in 2010, the boatbuilders lay the keel for yet another reconstruction. No forestem or afterstem was preserved from Skuldelev 6, and this time the design of these was changed. When building Kraka Fyr, the boatbuilders looked to the 'stepped' stems of Skuldelev 3. But archaeological finds of stems in western Norway, and the fishing boat's relationship to Skuldelev 1, indicated that the stems of Skuldelev 6 may have had a different design. Both the forestem and afterstem of Kraka Fyr and the new forestem and afterstem of Skjoldungen are designed with respect for the preserved parts, without changing the boat's shape. This shows that several solutions are possible when reconstructing the parts missing from an original ship.
Visit Kraka Fyr and Skjoldungen
Kraka Fyr and Skjoldungen often lie side by side in the Museum Harbour. Kraka Fyr with its high 'stepped' stems and Skjoldungen with the shorter and more blunt stem design. Kraka Fyr is moreover darker after years of taring.
» You can also experience the original ship in the Viking Ship Hall...
