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The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo has the remains of three ships dating from about 800 A.D. We were amazed to see that the freeboard (space from the water level to top edge of ship) was only about 18 inches. These were little more than fancified surf boards that about 30 men would sail. Not all their exploits were raids on monasteries and invasions. In fact, Vikings pursued trade all the way to the Caspian Sea and explorations all the way to Canada.
This picture shows our first sight of Norway when we arrived on the ferry from England. Imagine doing this trip across the North Sea on such a small and fragile ship!
(If you double-click on the picture you will go to the site that provided the java applet that produces the wave effect.)