, Research Paper
The Gokstad was a sturdy Viking ship. It was made to glide through the water. Layers of wood on the side of the ship helped make it water tight. The rudder was technologically evolved. Oar holes were specially designed for the person inside the boat. Storage on the deck was easy because of loose planking. The Gokstad was complicated from stem to stern.
The Gokstad was a burial ship. The main reason it was discovered was because the Vikings were Pagan. Pagans were either cremated or buried with things they would need in the next life. If they were rich enough, their ship would be buried with them.
The Gokstad was built around 900 A.D. and was discovered in Norway in the year 1880. The ship was buried underground. Its contents consisted of the owner of the ship, his livestock and belongings. The ship was complete except for the upper stem and stern which had rotted away and the mast which had been cut to prevent it from protruding through the dirt.
The ship was a little more than 76 feet long, had and a maximum width of 17 feet. The height from the keel to the gunwale amidship was 7 feet. It is estimated that the weight of the hull, fully equipped, was 20 tons. It had a strong mast support and 16 pairs of oars. It was a sturdy ship which was built from a straight oak tree that was at least 80 feet tall.
The ship’s backbone, or keel, was slightly curved so it would be thicker and deeper in the middle, which is where the largest amount of weight would be put. The tapering at the end of the ship allowed it to glide through the water.
Planks that made the bottom and side “skin” of a wooden ship were called strakes. Strakes overlap each other. Where they overlapped was called a clink. A clinker-made ship could have thin planking, while being water tight. Strakes at the bottom of the Gokstad were only 1 inch thick, and slightly tapered at the edges. A groove was cut along the lower edge of each strake and was packed with tarred wool before the planks were nailed together. The tarred wool made the planks water tight. The nails were hammered through the planks from the inside of the ship. In small, tight spaces like the stem and stern, the nails were put in on the outside.
Another feature in the ship was the Rudder. It was a large oar fixed to the side of the stern. The rudder had to be twisted in order to be able to change the direction of the ship. When the ship was beached, the rudder could not be lower than the keel because it would get caught in the sand.
The oar holes on the ship were very clever. The Vikings made the oar holes so you could push the oars through the holes from the inside of the ship. The oar holes could not be big because the oar would bang against the hole and waves would go right through it. They made it so the oar holes had small holes with a diagonal cut that allowed the oar holes to be pushed through.
The planking on the deck was not nailed down for there were no signs of nail holes. Loose planks were convenient for storing cargo beneath the deck. The ship could not carry very heavy items, but could store small objects. Each man could store his weapons under the deck at his rowing position.
Along the gunwale, there is a rack where shields would be put. They were easily available and made a colorful display to deter would be attackers. If the rack was used on the Gokstad, it would cover the oar holes. When they were sailing, there was a chance that the shields could be torn off by a wave. This suggests that if it were ever used, it was only in shallow waters.
When wind filled The Gokstad’s large sail, there was lots of strain on the mast, the stays, and the hull itself. Something strong had to support the mast, which holds the sail. This was the kerling, which was a heavy block of oak that was 12 feet 4 inches long, and 2 feet wide. There was a hole at the top of it to hold the mast from leaning too far forward or backward or leaning side to side. The main job of the Kerling was to use it as a base for the mast fish.
The Mast fish was the largest single piece of wood on the Gokstad. Named after its shape, it was 16 feet 6 inches long, 3 feet 3 inches wide, and 20 inches thick. It lay across four cross beams which have extra support from the kerling. It had an open slit in the top through which the mast could be slid through.
The Gokstad was a clear display of the ingenuity of the Vikings. It was beautifully designed and very complicated. It proved, without a doubt, that the Vikings were “masters of the sea”.
——————————————————————————–
Glossary
Gunwale: The upper edge of a side of a ship or boat.
Hull: The frame or body of a ship.
Keel: The principal structural member of a ship, running lengthwise along the center line from stem to stern, to which the frames are attached.
Mast: A tall vertical spar that rises from the keel of a sailing vessel to support the sails and rigging.
Planks: A thick piece of lumber.
Stem: The forward part of a ships hull.
Stern: The rear part of a ship or boat.
Rudder: A vertically hinged plate mounted at the stern of a vessel for steering.
Другие работы по теме:
Titanic The Unsinkable Essay Research Paper The
Titanic The Unsinkable Essay, Research Paper The Titanic was and still is considered one of the biggest disasters of the century. The ship that was proclaimed to be “unsinkable” proved that
Vikings 4 Essay Research Paper Throughout history
Vikings 4 Essay, Research Paper Throughout history, Vikings have been portrayed as graceless and boorish pirates. Their tale is notorious. They were well known, and feared, by those they conquered. They seemed intent on wreaking havoc on all civilizations, and blithe of the well being of their own. These accusations have originated, though, mainly from the victims of Viking conquests, and have, in most cases, been exagerated.
The Convergence Of The Twain Essay Research
Paper The Titanic set sail for it’s maiden voyage on April 12,1912 . This beautiful ship was made of the strongest iron available to man during this time. The Titanic was believed to be the ship that even God could not sink. However, on April 14 tragedy stuck. Over 1,000 people were lost at sea when the titanic sank.
Shangeid To China Essay Research Paper The
Shangeid To China Essay, Research Paper The book is about a boy named Neil who came down to Liverpool to stay with his grandparents . While Neil was there, he snuck out of the house and went to the waterfront.There he stopped to
Convergence Of The Twain Essay Research Paper
“The Convergence of the Twain” Personification is “endowing inanimate objects or abstract ideas with life or human characteristics” (Kirszner 2058). In the poem “The Convergence of the Twain” the author?s use of personification allows the reader to make a more fluid transition from the past to the present.
Vikings Essay Research Paper The VikingsNot only
Vikings Essay, Research Paper The Vikings Not only were the Vikings brutal raiders, pillagers, and savage pirates, they were some of the greatest contributors to sea travel, and tools. They weren t mindless barbarians, but they were fierce fighters who sought wealth and prosperity. Among their fighting skills lay politics, craftsmanship, and poems.
Viking Sagas Essay Research Paper January 18
Viking Sagas Essay, Research Paper January 18, 2001 The Viking sagas use an incredible deal of symbolism and irony. They also pay a great deal of attention to ones? actions rather than one?s words. In the story of Frothi, the king that defeated his brother in a devastating fire, there is a character Regin, who demonstrates great symbolism.
Seafaring Viking Essay Research Paper Seafaring
Seafaring: Viking Essay, Research Paper Seafaring: A Cornerstone of Viking Culture Technological advances have always played very important roles in the development of cultures. From warfare to agriculture, technology can help shape and mold the way a culture develops. The Viking longships were one such advance.
Vikings 2 Essay Research Paper VikingsOne of
Vikings 2 Essay, Research Paper Vikings One of the most interesting and misconceived groups of all time were the Vikings. The Vikings were the most feared of all the barbaric invaders. The people who originated from Scandinavia, which in today s world are the countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden were called Norsemen.
The World Of The Vikings Essay Research
Paper The Viking age has long been associated with unbridled piracy, when freebooters swarmed out of the northlands in their longships to burn and pillage their way across civilized Europe. Modern scholarship
The Secret Sharer By Joseph Conrad Essay
, Research Paper A Captain s Metamorphosis In the short story The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad, the captain of the ship, the Colorado, changes from an insecure and inexperienced ship captain to a more confident and secure individual, due to his experiences with the Secret Sharer. At first, the captain is not sure of his place on the ship and does not feel right about being in charge.
What Is The Greatest Difference Between Greek
And Roman Architecture Essay, Research Paper Greek Architecture Greek architecture has been noted as some of the world s finest buildings known to man kind. Such as the Parthenon, and the temples they built to their Gods, have been studied over for many years. The way these structures were built is fascinating.
Titanic Essay Research Paper Hollywood director James
Titanic Essay, Research Paper Hollywood director James Cameron?s 1997 film, Titanic, is the most authentic historical drama of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic in 1912. Researching countless journals of the survivors and examining images of the actual ship, Cameron realistically recreated the doomed passenger ship?s voyage and destruction on a grand scale.
Summary On Odysseus Essay Research Paper John
Summary On Odysseus Essay, Research Paper John Harris February 4, 2001 English 207 (World Literature) Dr. J.K. VanDover Finley, M.I. The World of Odysseus. New York: Viking Press, 1978: 126 ? 129.
Exodus Essay Research Paper For my video
Exodus Essay, Research Paper For my video analysis I decided to watch a show on the History channel called Historys Mysterious. This episode dealt with Exodus 1948 the ship that tried to help immigrants get out of Europe after World War 2. After World War 2 had ended there was a high number of refugees. Most of them were prisoners from the concentration camps who went back home to only find that the majority of their family was dead and that there homes were destroyed.
A Trip To China Essay Research Paper
I went to China at 4th April, with my grandma and grandpa. That day, we got up at 7 o*clock in the morning. We went on the ship at 9:40am. When we reached China, we saw our relation, they saw us and helped us to carry the luggage. They are very kind to us.
The True Confessions Of Charlotte Doyle Essay
, Research Paper The True Confessions Of Charlotte Doyle In 1832, Charlotte Doyle began her voyage across the Atlantic Ocean on the ship “The Seahawk”. The captian of the ship was Captian Jaggery. At first Charlotte did not understand why the sailors did not like him, but during her voyage she learned why.
Symbolism In Whitman
’s OCaptain! May Cap Essay, Research Paper O Captain! My Captain! By Walt Whitman O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done. The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
Captain Ahab Essay Research Paper Captain AhabIf
Captain Ahab Essay, Research Paper Captain Ahab If you ever saw Captain Ahab in a dark alley, you’d probably turn and run the other way. His scarred body and wooden leg are just a couple of characteristics that show who he is. Ahab is the captain of the whaling ship Pequod, and their mission is to go on a trip and bring back as many whales as possible.
Summery Of The Movie
“Amistad” Essay, Research Paper Amistad The summery of the movie Amistad The story of the Amistad is quite a tale of Freedom. The movie depicts how the situation in American and Europe was at the time. The movie opens on the ship the Amistad in a great storm at sea with an African who breaks lose of his shekels with a nail.
Fairy Tale Essay Research Paper TitleFairy Tale
Fairy Tale Essay, Research Paper Title Fairy Tale Author Alice Thomas Ellis Viking, 1996 Eloise: bored and wants someone to appreciate the value of her work and she wants a baby. She makes night-dresses and petticoats for a shop in town. She considers men to be brainless and only good for one thing. Simon and she moved into the woods because she got a lot of money from Max (Clare’s ex-husband).
Night To Remember Essay Research Paper A
Night To Remember Essay, Research Paper A Night To Remember by Walter Lord is about the well known disaster that the luxury cruse ship the "Titanic" went thorough. This story takes place
Titanic 3 Essay Research Paper It was
Titanic 3 Essay, Research Paper It was the largest ship in its day. It was labeled unsinkable. But on April 14 and 15, 1912, many people all around the wold found out that it wasn’t. The sinking of the Titanic was most likely the worst disaster ever to occur on the Atlantic Ocean. It sank because of many mistakes made by the builders, designer, and crew.
Independence Day Essay Research Paper After watching
Independence Day Essay, Research Paper After watching Independence Day the aliens should have won and taken over the earth easily, for many reasons. First when the aliens entered our atmosphere each space ship was fifteen miles wide. America has good weapons but enough to take out these spaceships that have a protective shield around them.
War Of 1812 Essay Research Paper The
War Of 1812 Essay, Research Paper The war of 1812 was one of eight that our country has fought in. This war left us with a loss of people, property, and money. It was started over many things. One of the reasons was the British impressment of American soldiers.
20000 Leagues Under The Sea Essay Research
Paper Captain Nemo is, by far, the best of all the characters. He show quickness, a cunning and charming personailty. Captain Nemo is the captain of this extravagent under water ship called the Nautilus. On his ship the scavage the surface of the ocean under them in search for food, supplies, and new species of animals.
Titanic 2
Titanic – Then And Now Essay, Research Paper In 1910, Belfast Ireland, the biggest and most luxurious party boat was being constructed. It would take two years to build, furnish, and prepare this ship, known as the Titanic, before it sailed to New York. It weighed 66,000 tons and had a hull of 40 city blocks. It would take 3,000 men to construct it.
Titanic Essay Research Paper The Titanic and
Titanic Essay, Research Paper The Titanic and how I Survived It Hello my name is Bob Merlock; I?m one of the last surviving members of the Titanic. I?m here to tell you the story of how I got off the ship. Some people think I?m a coward for not going down with the ship, but they don?t know the hardships I went through to get off the ship.
Launching Aircraft From An Aircraft Carrier Essay
, Research Paper When an aircraft is launched off the flight deck of a ship at the beginning of the day, it starts off by fueling up. While the plane is fueling up the pilots are down below in their ready rooms getting briefed from their commanders for the days mission. The wind speed is checked by the ships crew on the bridge where they steer the ship, if there is no wind the ship speeds up to make just the right amount of wind and then reports to the pilot?s that the wind is at the correct speed and the ship is in position for launch time.