Viking Ship

history · sailing · Vikings

Overlapping planks. Viking ships were 'clinker built,' meaning wooden planks overlapped each other and were riveted together. This made the boats both strong and bendy in the waves.

Dragon heads. Some ships may have had a carved dragon's head or other shape sticking out from the front or back, though we mostly know this from old written sources.

Two pointy ends. These boats had symmetrical ends with a true keel, making them slender and quick. Both the bow and stern came to a point.

More than fighting. Vikings used these ships not just for battles, but for long-distance trade, exploring new lands, and setting up new homes far away.