Join us on a truly unique Viking adventure. Travel back a thousand years, to the time of the Vikings, fearless explorers, traders and pirates. Come sail with us; smell the tarred wood, experience rowing the longship, the sensation of the prow surging through foaming surf with the wind-filled square sail above.

Viking longships visited America 500 years before Colombus, and travelled to Afghanistan, North Africa and the Arctic Ocean. With these great ships the Vikings founded Russia, served the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople, established Dublin and besieged Paris.

Soon, here in New Zealand, a Viking Dragonship shall emerge through the mists of time, to sail proudly on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

Welcome to the Viking Ship Project

This exciting new project has tremendous potential, with future benefits for all thos involved with it. We hope that you are entertained and inspired by what follows...

The Viking Ship Project, in association with the New Zealand Employment Service, will establish a WORK-SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME, to build a 24-metre fully functional replica of the Gokstead Viking Longship.

Trainees will learn a variety of wood-working and boat-building skills under the guidance of clinker boat specialist, Herbert Krumm-Gartner. The programme will include Maritime Safety awareness, as well as strong cultural education focusing on the Vikings as seafarers, explorers, farmers and traders.

The building of the ship will be an enjoyable and educational adventure through time, for those working on her, and for visitors to the project.

The Vikings are part of the cultural heritage of many New Zealanders, and it is interesting to note that around the same time these courageous explorers were crossing Northern Oceans, the Polynesians were skillfully navigating treacherous Southern seas, also in search of new lands.

When completed and launched, the longship will continue to be an educational tool, providing an entertaining window to the past for those seeking a Viking experience. We may dispel a few myths and teach something of the true Vikings, from whom so many are descended.

The Viking Ship Project Team:  (so far...)

The Viking Ship Project has gained NZ Maritime Safety Authority approval for the ship to be built to carry passengers. She will be a sister ship to SIGRID STORRADA, the successful Swedish Gokstad replica, which was launched in 1995

With colourful shields adorning the gunwales, and crewed by costumed Vikings, she will be an impressive sight on the Harbour, particularly during the forthcoming America's Cup yacht races.

The project has obtained initial funding and the timber to enable us to begin construction. The site, to be confirmed later this month (May), shall be open to visitors wishing to view the ship under construction. The intended launch date is early 1999.

To complete the ship we shall require further funding and assistance with the rigging, oars, engines and safety equipment. In return for any such support, from companies, organisations and individuals, we will offer the use of the ship for publicity, promotions, advertising and leisure. She will also be available for charter, private and corporate, tours, functions etc.

You can contact us at:

THE VIKING SHIP PROJECT

PO BOX 258

WARKWORTH, NEW ZEALAND

PH/FAX: +64-9-424-7939

MOBILE:+64-21-845-464 (021 VIKING)

Email: nik@sinesurf.co.nz

Special Thanks

The Viking Ship Project acknowledges the following for their support and encouragement:

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