The largest ever Viking ship replica is to be built by the world-famous Roskilde Viking Ship Museum in Denmark. The 30-metre, ocean-going longship will be built using the same methods, tools, and materials employed by the Vikings nearly 1,000 years ago.
The reconstruction has been made possible by a DKr10.5m (e1.41m) donation from the Tuborg Foundation and Carlsberg's Memorial Bequest, both part of the Danish brewing group, Carlsberg A/S.
The longship was a fearsome weapon that gave the Vikings domination of the seas in northern Europe from AD 800 to 1100. It is the first time that a ship of this type has been re-created.
The remains of the original ship, together with four others, were excavated from Roskilde Fjord in 1962 in thousands of pieces. After preservation the pieces were reassembled and put on display.
Only 10% of the ship, known as Skuldelev 2, survived. However, it has been possible to create a detailed building plan thanks to the meticulous construction of a 1:10 scale model.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the ship was built in Dublin, Ireland, around the year 1040. At that time the Vikings had settled in Ireland and built several fortified bases along the coast.
The ship would have presented a frightening sight as it shot through the water with between 80 and 100 warriors on board. Its unusually long and narrow construction will have endowed it with a high speed. With around 60 men at the oars, the average speed would have been five knots or around 10km/h, while at full sail in a favourable wind it would be up at 20 knots or around 35km/h. The ship was built to be extremely light and flexible, making it especially seaworthy.
"Skuldelev 2 is a ship in a class of its own, a thoroughbred of the oceans. Building a full-size copy gives us an outstanding opportunity to explore and explain the knowledge that we have about the longships of the Viking Age and their accompanying culture. Also, it is the only one of the five Viking ships that were found that we have not reconstructed," said museum director Tinna Damgård-Sørensen.
Carlsberg group managing director, Walther Paulsen, said the project was an obvious one for the foundation to support. "The reconstruction is fascinating, both from a historical and scientific viewpoint, and the finished longship cannot fail to impress people, just as it did nearly 1,000 years ago."
In January 2000, the museum's boat builders will start the hunt for suitable trees. Construction will start next autumn at the museum's shipyard. The ship will be built in the open air, allowing the public to follow the entire project.
It is planned that the ship will start its maiden voyage from Roskilde to Dublin in 2005.
The Tuborg Foundation was established in 1931 to mark the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Tuborg Breweries. It aims to "support activities to the benefit of society".
The Carlsberg Bequest to the Memory of Brewer J.C. Jacobsen was established in 1938 as a homage to the father of the Carlsberg breweries. It aims to "act in support of public utility in areas of practical life".
Both are part of the Danish brewing group Carlsberg A/S.
For further information contact:
Museum director
Tinna Damgård-Sørensen.
Tel: + 45 46 30 02 00