Photo (for illustration). A Norwegian Viking in action.
The sketch of the ship made by a builder in 1938. The vessel is thought to be a 1,000-year-old relic from the Norse occupation of the Wirral peninsular. This is one of many traces from the Vikings who lived at that time. It was detected 12 September 2007 by using radar technology.
At 30ft long by 5ft wide, it would have been able to transport dozens of Viking warriors, as well as their goods and cattle.
Vikings are known to have settled on the Wirral in England. Scandinavian influence persisted here through the centuries. It is some distance from the present coastline and probably the old one too. Experts believed that it might have got to its present position after flooding and sinking into an old marsh.
The ship was first uncovered in 1938 when the Railway Inn was being knocked down and rebuilt further from the road, the site of the old pub being made into a car park. Workers were advised by the foreman to cover the ship over again so as not to delay construction.
The Vikings travellered around the world for 1000 years ago in their long ships. Though notorious for their fearsome Viking raids, Scandinavians were also farmers and craftsmen.
Read more about the Vikings on www.TravelExplorations.com
Stein Morten Lund, 3 October 2007
Additional information
Read about recent Viking ship voyage and discoveries of Viking Ships in Norway:
Viking ship ends voyage in Dublin 15th August 2007:
The arrival marks the end of a six-week sea journey. A replica Viking ship has pulled into Dublin nearly 1,000 years after the original sank off Denmark's coast. The arrival of the Sea Stallion in Dublin's harbour on Tuesday capped a 1,700km (1,000 mile) journey across the waters of northern Europe. The 65 crew were overjoyed after the six-week voyage, during which they faced unfavourable sailing conditions. The endeavour took the crew from Scandinavia, around Scotland and into the Irish Sea. The passage was being undertaken as part of a "living archaeology" project that aims to understand better the seamanship of early Norsemen.
Discovery of a Viking ship:
Archaeologists found the remains of a ship from the Viking Age on in October 2006 in a burial mound on a farm outside the coastal city of Larvik. The discovery was made during archaeological examinations of the Nordheim Farm, which is near the Hedrum Church in Larvik. The examinations were ordered in connection with the pending expansion of the cemetery around Hedrum Church, which is located a few hours' drive south of Oslo.
Viking Ships in Norway:
The Viking Ship Museum and The Historical Museum form the University Museum of Cultural Heritage under the University of Oslo. The museum building was designed especially for the Viking Ships by one of the best-known Norwegian architects Arnstein Arneberg in 1927. The museum has temporary exhibitions and a various activities and venues. The museum is located at the Bygdøy peninsula approximately 10 minutes driving out of the centre in Oslo.
The Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy is one of the two buildings comprising the Museum of Cultural History. In the Viking Ship Museum there are grave finds from Tune, Gokstad, Oseberg and Borre.
Address and contact information:
Huk Aveny 35, N-0287 Oslo
P.O. Box 6762 St. Olavs plass, N-0130 Oslo
Phone: +47 2213 5280
Fax: +47 2244 5581
E-mail: info@ukm.uio.no
Website: http://www.ukm.uio.no
E-mail this
Print this
