Longship

From Cunnan
Revision as of 06:53, 2 November 2005 by Paul Matisz (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigationJump to search

A longship was the primary method of transportation for the Norse people. A typical longship was 18-24 metres long and only 4-6 metres wide, with a single square sail and banks of oars for motive power. Their long length and shallow draft, about a metre, allowed them to sail at great speed and in extremely shallow water.

Longships had a distinctive high prow, often carved in the form of a dragon's head, which gave them the alternate dragon ship.