The Hull
Viking ships were built of lap strake construction where the hull is
formed before ribs are put into place. In modern woodboat construction, the ribs are
attached to the keel, and then the strakes are attached to the ribs.
The planks forming the hull are called strakes and are approximately one inch thick. The stakes are riveted to the lip of the keel and then to each other. The rivets are approximately three inches long. The bottom inside edge of the strake is chinked with yarn coated in tar (The Vikings used either tar-coated animal fur or manure). The rivet is place from the outside strake through the inside. Once in place, a metal washer, called a rho, is placed over the end of the rivet, and the rivet's end is bent or crushed to lock it into place.
In the event that a strake is not long enough to reach from bow to stern, a scraf joint is used to join the ends of two strakes together. The ends of the strakes are planned down to an angle and attached using rivets and rhos. The edge of the joint faces away from the bow to make it more water tight.
Viking ship hulls are built free standing up to the tenth strake which is the water line. The tenth strake is thicker than the rest of the stakes. The first set of ribs are formed to fix the shape of the hull and fastened solidly only on the ends. On the inside of the first nine strakes are cleats, a raised wood block with a notch that accommodates the underside of the rib. Two holes are drilled into the rib at the point above the cleat and one hole is drilled on each side of the cleat. Rope is weaved through these holes. This is the only means of support below the water line. This helps give the Hjemkomst the flexibility needed to handle the waves on the ocean.
On top of these ribs are placed crossbeams, which provide support for the deck planking. The deck planks are not fastened to the crossbeams, thus enabling access to the area below for the use of storage or baling water.
The next step is to attach the second set of ribs. They sit on top
of the crossbeams and go up to the 14th strake. These ribs are cut to fit
the form of the hull and are securely fastened with treenails (long wood dowels).
Two more strakes are added. The third set of ribs are located six inches behind
every other rib. This set is completely independent of the first and second set of
ribs and begin at the tenth strake and end at the gunnel. They add strength, but
still allow flexibility.
The 16th strake is the last strake and has the gunnel attached to it. The gunnel is a plank 3.25" x4.5" and is fastened to the inside edge of the strake. A 1" board caps off the gunnel.
The 14th strake contains the oar ports.
The oar ports are circular with a notch. The notch allows the crew to install the
oars from the inside of the boat.
Continue on to Mast