Replica 'dragon' ship reaches Newfoundland after month-long Atlantic crossing

• The Viking ‘dragon’ vessel is a real-life reconstruction of a ‘Great ship’ from the Norse Sagas

• It left on April 26th, stopping at Shetland and Faroe Islands before reaching Iceland, Greenland, and Canada

• Called Draken Harald Hårfagre , the longship sailed in the wake of the infamous Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson

After a treacherous journey across the North Atlantic Ocean, the largest Viking ship in current existence has reached North America.

The Viking ‘dragon’ vessel is a real-life reconstruction of a ‘Great ship’ from the Norse Sagas, and departed over a month ago from Haugesund, Norway.

The crew battled harsh weather and unexpected troubles as they traversed the ancient routes used by Viking sailors 1000 years ago, before safely anchoring at St Anthony in Newfoundland, Canada.

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After a treacherous journey across the North Atlantic Ocean, the largest Viking ship in current existence has reached North America. The Viking ‘dragon’ vessel is a real-life reconstruction of a ‘Great ship’ from the Norse Sagas, and departed over a month ago from Haugesund, Norway

Called Draken Harald Hårfagre, the longship sailed in the wake of the infamous Viking, Leif Eriksson.

It left on April 26th, stopping at the Shetland and then Faroe Islands before reaching Iceland, Greenland, and finally, Canada.

The 35 meter long, 8 meter wide wooden ship held 33 crew members and used a mix of modern and historical navigational tools, including log lines and magnetic and solar compasses.

The crew battled harsh weather and unexpected troubles as they traversed the ancient routes used by Viking sailors 1000 years ago, before safely anchoring at St Anthony in Newfoundland, Canada. Called Draken Harald Hårfagre, the longship sailed in the wake of the infamous Viking, Leif Eriksson

It left on April 26th, stopping at the Shetland and then Faroe Islands before reaching Iceland, Greenland, and finally, Canada. The 35 meter long, 8 meter wide wooden ship held 33 crew members and used a mix of modern and historical navigational tools, including log lines and magnetic and solar compasses

‘The aim is to explore and relive one of the most mythological sea voyages – the first transatlantic crossing, and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than a thousand years ago,’ the expedition website explains.

‘History tells us about the Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson, who discovered America over 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The expedition is all about exploring the world, just like the Vikings did.

Just one day after it first set sail, the ship had to make an unexpected stop in Lerwick, Shetland after experience a problem with the rig, and a split shroud.

WHO REALLY 'DISCOVERED' NORTH AMERICA?

New evidence has been uncovered that suggests the Vikings may have discovered North America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus made his famous journey to the New World.

Scientists claim to have uncovered what they believe to be a Viking settlement on the Canadian island of Newfoundland that appears to have been built between 800AD and 1300AD.

It is only the second known Viking site to be discovered in North America and helps to confirm that they were the first Europeans to reach the New World. This new site, discovered in an area called Point Rosee in southern Newfoundland, is 400 miles (643km) south west of a Viking settlement found in L'Anse aux Meadows during the 1960s.

It is thought the Vikings first discovered America by accident in the autumn of 986AD, according to one historical source, the Saga of the Greenlanders.

It tells how Bjarni Herjolfsson was stumbled across North America after being blown off course as he attempted to sail from Norway to Greenland, but he did not go ashore.

Inspired by his tales, however, another Viking Leif Ericsson then mounted his own expedition and found North America in 1002.

Finding it a fertile land, rich in grapes and berries, he named it Vinland.

Eriksson also named two further 'lands' on the North American coast - one with flat stones, which he called Helluland, and one that was flat and wooded, named Markland.

The discovery of the settlement at Point Rosee now helps to confirm that these legends were in fact true. 

The setback didn’t halt the team for long, however.

By May 2, Draken had moored in Torshavn, Faroe Islands after crossing through strong winds and high waves.

After this, the ship arrived in Greenland, which was first settled by the Viking Erik the Red – father of Leif Eriksson – around the year 1000.

Just one day after it first set sail, the ship had to make an unexpected stop in Lerwick, Shetland after experience a problem with the rig and a split shroud. The setback didn’t halt the team for long, however. By May 2, Draken had moored in Torshavn, Faroe Islands after crossing through strong winds and high waves

The ship then arrived in Greenland, which was first settled by the Viking Erik the Red – father of Leif Eriksson – around the year 1000

Then, on Wednesday, Draken Harald Hårfagre officially completed its crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean, anchoring in Newfoundland.

‘I’m proud of the crew and the achievements we have made along the way,’ said Captain Björn Ahlander.

‘It has not been easy, we have faced a lot of problems along this voyage but the crew have been in good spirit and worked hard all the way.’

The project started in 2010 and pulled from the history of the Norse Sagas along with archaeological findings and Norwegian boatbuilding traditions, to create what is now the largest modern Viking ship.

‘The aim is to explore and relive one of the most mythological sea voyages – the first transatlantic crossing, and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than a thousand years ago,’ the project explains

DRAKEN HARALD HARFAGRE 

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The Viking 'dragon' ship is a real-life reconstruction of a ‘Great ship’ from the Norse Sagas

The project started in 2010, and the longship was built from historical knowledge of the Norse Sagas.

This was combined with archaeological findings and Norwegian boatbuilding traditions.

Now, Draken Harald Hårfagre is the largest Viking vessel in modern times.

It is 35m long and 8 m wide, with a mast that stands 24 m high.

Draken Harald Hårfagre can reach a speed of up to 14 knots. 

The longship sailed in the wake of the infamous Viking, Leif Eriksson.

It left on April 26th, stopping at the Shetland and then Faroe Islands before reaching Iceland, Greenland, and finally, Canada.

‘The aim is to explore and relive one of the most mythological sea voyages – the first transatlantic crossing, and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than a thousand years ago,’ the expedition website explains.

‘History tells us about the Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson, who discovered America over 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The expedition is all about exploring the world, just like the Vikings did.

On Wednesday, Draken Harald Hårfagre officially completed its crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean, anchoring in Newfoundland.

Now, the explorers will continue on to make stops at ports in Canada and the US.

‘It all started with a daydream, to build a large, seaworthy Viking ship, just like the ones spoken of in the Norse Sagas,’ said Sigurd Aase, curator and owner of the Draken Harald Hårfagre project.

‘Draken Harald Hårfagre is now a true story, having sailed the challenging voyage across the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a dream coming true.’

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‘History tells us about the Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson, who discovered America over 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The expedition is all about exploring the world, just like the Vikings did,' the project says.

On Wednesday, Draken Harald Hårfagre officially completed its crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean, anchoring in Newfoundland