Viking ship sets off to recreate ancient voyages

By Mette Kronholm Fraende

ROSKILDE, Denmark (Reuters) - A Viking ship set off for Dublin from this Danish port on Sunday to retrace the voyages taken by the feared Nordic tribes who unleashed bloody raids on Ireland's shores 1,000 years ago.

Crafted from the wood of 300 oak trees, the 30-metre long, 4-metre wide Sea Stallion is the world's largest reconstructed Viking vessel, its builders say.

The original was constructed in Ireland in 1042 but sank 30 years later in Roskilde fjord, around 30 miles (50 km) south of Copenhagen, and lay there until excavation began in 1962.

On Sunday the new Sea Stallion began a 1,000-nautical-mile journey to Ireland, captained by schoolteacher Carsten Hvid.

The ship will use only oar and sail power in a bid to address unanswered questions about Viking ship-building and travel, its 65-member volunteer crew braving the elements on the open deck, each with about a square metre of space.

"I think the biggest challenge will be the rough weather we might encounter," said Louise Henriksen, a 27-year-old historian who will live on board for the duration of the voyage.

"After all, we are testing the construction. Can it resist the rough weather? And the nights get really cold."

Some 7,000 iron nails and rivets hold the ship together and there are 2 km of rope on board.