Vennskap News: Ships, Ahoy!

Where is the "Draken Harald Hårfagre"?

This replica of a Viking ship was sailing to Liverpool, England on her maiden voyage when a storm wind and waves broke the mast causing a delay as the ship was forced to use emergency motor power to gain port in Liverpool. Timber for the new mast had to be flown to the craftsmen and repairs are underway as the Viking ship lays at anchor.

The timber has been found and woodworkers have been working to shape the tall mast. At the latest report, the crew has been readying the lines and the sail for installation. Plans to get underway for the return voyage to Norway are on schedule. The big square sail will be hoisted and the trip underway August 3rd.

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A carving of a 16th century English birlinn

The era of the Vikingship began to ebb in 1100. All throughout the 13th century, European ship designs were moving away from the light, swift, and maneuverable Viking style designs. They began choosing heavier, stronger, more powerful sailing fortresses capable of ramming other ships, with the ability to become gun-carrying platforms.Using the Viking influence, a ship called a "Birlinn" appeared. This was a wooden vessel using the sail and oars, but modified to fit naval guns designed to attack the opposition while carrying heavy cargo over long distances.

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The concept of a ship carrying more than one mast, to give it more speed under sail and to improve its sailing qualities, evolved in northern Mediterranean waters: built by the various East India companies (Dutch, English or Scandinavian) to bring back tea, china, silk and spices.

The trend to additional masts to accommodate additional wind power led to the three-mast standard that is still recognized today. Although modern diesel engines are the most efficient and reliable means of sailing power, the tradition of the three-masters is not to be forgotten.

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At the present time, vessels and sails are popular among watercraft operators both in recreation and those who compete in various annual sailing events. One of these annual European events began in 1956 and is underway this month. A total of 69 sailing vessels are taking part in the "Tall Ships Race" segment in Fredrikstad, 22 of them so-called “Class A.” They’re the biggest of the vessels and include Norway’s three high-masted ships Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Christian Radich and Sørlandet.

The Sørlandet is the oldest of the three Norwegian Tall Ships and the oldest full- rigged ship in the world still in operation.

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Thousands of spectators were expected in Bergen to admire the ships and follow the regatta as it continued from its starting point in Harlingen in The Netherlands, July 6th to its final port in Esbjerg, Denmark, August 5th.

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The Tall Ships Races are races for sail training on sailing ships. The races are designed to encourage international friendship and training for young people in the art of sailing. The races are held annually in European waters and consists of two racing legs of several hundred nautical miles, and a "cruise in company". Over one half of the crew of each ship participating in the races must consist of young people.

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The three legs of the race.

All ships are manned by a largely trainee crew who are partaking in sail training, 50 percent of which must be aged between 15–25 years of age with or without previous experience. Thus,"tall ship" does not describe a specific type of sailing vessel, but rather a sailing vessel of at least 30 ft that is conducting sail training and education under sail voyages.