Many Vikings were good sailors because they lived close to rivers and fjords (sea inlets). They grew up from childhood able to use ships for fishing and travelling. A big Viking longship would be about 30 metres long and they would be made of planks of oak wood.  Each ship could carry 60 men. Sea-chests were used to sit on when rowing and to store personal belongings. The sails were brightly coloured in stripes or diamond patterns. They were made from wool or linen and in bad weather they would be lowered over the ship and fastened down like a tent to protect the men inside. The Vikings loved to decorate their ships with fine wooden carvings. The head of a fearsome creature like a snake or dragon was put at the front to scare off enemies, including supposed sea monsters.  The ship was steered by means of a rudder, mounted on the side, near to the back of the ship. When there was no wind oars were used to row the ship.
They used the: sun, moon and stars to help them navigate. By day they realised that the sun moved from east to west. By night, they used the North star to help them work out which direction to sail in.
The Vikings gave their ships names like: Long Serpent, Raven of the Wind or Snake of the Sea. |