By: Sara Womack and Mark Beckley September 2, 2009

What Makes Up a Ship For a long time, it was considered that they were only made of Oak. As more shipwrecks from the Viking period was discovered, we have learned that they are also made of Ash, Elm Pine, Larch, and other woods. Only greatest warships were always made of Oak. Oak was sacred to their warrior, God Oðin.

Shipwrights Make ships and boats Selected tree themselves to build with Thought about what specific tasks the ship would undergo and picks the type of wood for it Recycle parts of ships that are broken down or old

Which Boats Belong to Whom? Kings/Powerful Chieftains Large War Vessels Trading Vessels

Which Boats Belongs to Whom? Lower Social Class Smaller Fishing Boats Coastal Traders

Log boat Very common Easy to make Cheap Could cross small rivers/lakes, or move a few livestock Lasted until eighteenth century in England, 1930’s in Poland

Using the Entire Tree  No parts of tree is wasted Bark- went to tan hides and skin Baste Fibres- makes rope Twigs- chopped up, added to sawdust, smoke fish, meat, cheese Smaller Cuts of Twigs- make charcoal Main Part of Trunk- made planks

Making of Planks 1.Split with axe 2.Oak wedge hammered in split 3.Another Wedge (first wedge put in further) 4.Process goes on

Tools Axes* Adzes (same, but blade turned through 90 degrees) Occasionally- Hammers, wedges, chisels, drawknives and planes with saws Side Axe- Smooths, broad blade, bent handle Scarf Joint- joins planks

Parts of Ship You May Not Know Trenails* (held together parts)- wooden pins Keelson (mass step)- fits into Hull Thwarts- seats Sternposts- large tree, scarce, determined length of bow and stern Hull- body of ship

Interesting Facts Viking ships made by same method- overlapping strake edges banana shape (Hulk construction) Design not built for real situations (huge water tank) Steering Oar (rudder)- difficult to use Sacrifice before trying boat out

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