SAILING CRAFT 43 



that are described in the sagas. She is about 

 eighty feet long, sixteen feet in the beam, 

 and seven feet in total depth amidships, 

 from the top of the gunwale to the bottom of 

 the keel. The keel runs into the stem and 

 stern-post with very gentle curves. The whole 

 of the naval architecture is admirably done. 

 The lines are so fine that there is almost the 

 least possible resistance to the water when 

 passing through it. The only point worth 

 criticizing is the slightness of the connection 

 between the topsides and the body of the boat. 

 But as this was a warship, carrying little 

 besides live ballast, such a defect would be 

 minimized. Iron rivets, oak treenails (or pegs), 

 clinker planking (each plank-edge overlapping 

 the next below it), admirably proportioned 

 frame, as well as arrangements for stepping, 

 raising, and lowering the single mast, all show 

 that the builders knew exactly what they were 

 about. 



The rudder is hung over on the starboard, 

 or ' steer-board,' side and worked by a tiller. 

 The ropes are made of bark fibre and the 

 planking is partly fastened to the floors with 

 ties made of tough tree roots. Only one sail, 

 and that a simple square one, was used. 

 Nothing could be done with this unless the 



