From Denmark to Dublin - the Viking Ship's Voyage

On 1 July 2007, 65 volunteers are setting off on an extraordinary voyage. After ten years of meticulous preparation, a crew of intrepid volunteers will sail a reconstructed Viking warship, the 'Sea Stallion' from Glendalough (the Irish location where she originated), from Denmark to Dublin - a journey of over 1,000 miles through some of the most challenging waters in the world.

The project is not just a thrilling adventure on the high seas, it is one of the largest experimental archaeology projects ever conducted. The team behind the boat's construction hope to gain a unique understanding of Viking technology, and the men who made these ships one of the most feared sights of the Dark Ages. This is experimental archaeology pushed to its limit - the crew will be crossing the same waters in the same type of vessel as the Vikings. They will gain an insight into the hardships, risks and realities that those intrepid warriors would have faced a millennium ago.

There are 65 members of crew on board, each with a specific role. From skipper to cook, everyone has their own responsibilities and worries. Whilst the skipper faces the challenge of getting his crew safely through some of the most unpredictable and stormy seas on the planet, the cooks have to try and sustain the 65 men and women on board with limited rations, often in appalling conditions. These problems and challenges would have been the same for the original members of the Viking crew. Life on board the 'Sea Stallion' will be tough, both mentally and physically.

In the open sea, with favourable winds, the 'Sea Stallion' can reach speeds of up to 12 knots with her large square sail. However, if the wind drops then it is up to the crew to power the ship, using the ship's complement of 60 oars.

Each member of crew has less than one square metre where they must live, sleep and eat. Privacy is impossible. The ship has no shelter from the weather, no cleaning facilities and no lavatories. They will be living virtually on top of each other for six weeks and this will test their camaraderie to the limit. It will also be a challenging test for the boat itself. No one knows whether the structure they've built will be able to withstand the rigours of the open sea. If a mistake has been made in the reconstruction, the ship could be destroyed by the forces of the waves and wind. Every crew member knows there's a risk of shipwreck in the North Sea.

The project is unique. It is the first time in nearly 1,000 years that a fully-laden Viking warship has sailed across the North Sea. the 'Sea Stallion' represent the pinnacle of Viking maritime achievement and will give historians a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse at how these mysterious raiders from the north spread so far and wide.

Published: 2007-06-27