|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
Ships and Navigation
|
The Vikings were the best seamen of their time, and their ships were the best the world had ever seen. Their long, narrow warships were light, flexible, and very seaworthy even in stormy seas, and they could sail in shallow water. They were made of oak - or pine in Norway. The wood for the curved parts was made from timber with a natural curve, so wood was never cut across the grain (which can make it split). Powered by a square sail and oars, warships could travel at 10 knots or more (nearly 12 miles, or 20 kilometres, per hour). Like other sailors, the Vikings preferred to sail close to land, but they were not afraid to cross open seas. In fact, they crossed the North Atlantic - one of the world's stormiest seas.
(A) SAIL
Ships had a single, square sail made from strips of woollen cloth. Warships relied mainly on their oars, except on the open sea. The sail could be rolled up and the mast lowered.
(B) STURDY FRAME
The ship's backbone, the keel, was made from a single piece of wood, to which the curved ends and the rest of the ship were added.
(C) OARS
Warships had 12 or more pairs of oars running the full length of the ship.
(D) SHIELDS
Shields were mounted on the gunwale to protect the rowers from enemy weapons.
|
| |
Previous:
Back
|
Book:
The Vikings
|
Section:
The Vikings
|
Chapter:
Ships and Navigation
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
