What Were the Viking Ships Called and What Made Them Unique?

AvatarByFrancis Mortimer Cruise Lines & Brands

When picturing the fierce and adventurous Vikings, one iconic image often comes to mind: the sleek, formidable ships that carried these seafaring warriors across vast and treacherous waters. These vessels were not just modes of transportation; they were marvels of engineering, symbols of power, and essential tools that shaped the course of history. Understanding what these Viking ships were called opens a window into the maritime culture that defined an entire era.

Viking ships were renowned for their speed, agility, and versatility, enabling the Vikings to explore, trade, raid, and settle across Europe and beyond. Their design reflected a deep knowledge of the sea, combining functionality with artistry. The names given to these ships often carry rich meanings and tell stories about their purpose, construction, and the people who sailed them.

Exploring the terminology behind Viking ships reveals much about the society that built them and their enduring legacy. From the types of vessels used to their distinctive features, the names encapsulate a fascinating blend of practicality and mythology. This sets the stage for a closer look at the vessels that made the Vikings legendary sailors of their time.

Types of Viking Ships

Viking ships were ingeniously designed to serve a variety of purposes, from swift raids to long-distance trade and exploration. The two most prominent types of Viking ships were the longship and the knarr, each optimized for different maritime activities.

The longship was the quintessential Viking vessel, renowned for its speed, agility, and shallow draft. It featured a narrow hull, clinker-built (overlapping planks), and a single square sail complemented by rows of oars. These attributes allowed Vikings to navigate both open seas and shallow rivers, facilitating rapid coastal raids and inland expeditions.

In contrast, the knarr was a broader, sturdier ship designed primarily for cargo transport. With a deeper hull and larger cargo hold, the knarr was slower but capable of carrying substantial loads of goods such as furs, timber, and iron across the North Atlantic. Unlike the longship, it relied more heavily on its sail than on oars.

Other less common types of vessels included:

  • Karve: Smaller than the longship, often used for coastal fishing and local transport.
  • Snekkja: A type of longship but narrower and faster, particularly favored by raiders.
  • Faering: A small, open boat used primarily for fishing and short-distance travel.

Construction and Design Features

Viking shipbuilding was a sophisticated craft, combining functionality with advanced maritime technology for the era. The ships were clinker-built, meaning planks overlapped each other and were fastened with iron rivets. This technique provided a lightweight yet flexible hull that could withstand the stresses of rough seas.

Key design features included:

  • Symmetrical bow and stern: Enabled quick directional changes without turning the ship around.
  • Shallow draft: Allowed navigation through shallow waters and beach landings.
  • Flexible keel: Absorbed wave impacts, improving seaworthiness.
  • Steering oar: Positioned on the starboard side, the steering oar was an essential control mechanism before the advent of the rudder.

The sail was typically made from wool and treated with animal fat or resin to enhance durability and water resistance. The single square sail could be reefed or furled depending on wind conditions, aiding in speed regulation.

Comparison of Viking Ship Types

Ship Type Primary Use Hull Design Propulsion Capacity Typical Length
Longship Raiding, warfare, exploration Narrow, shallow draft Oars + Square sail 20-60 men 15-30 meters
Knarr Trade, cargo transport Wide, deep hull Square sail (primary) Several tons of cargo 16-20 meters
Karve Fishing, local transport Smaller, broad Oars + sail 10-15 people 10-15 meters

Nomenclature and Terminology

The term “Viking ship” encompasses a variety of vessels, but the Vikings themselves had specific names for these ships based on their function and design. The word “skip” was a general Old Norse term meaning “ship.” More specialized terms include:

  • “Langskip”: Literally “long ship,” referring to the warship designed for speed and agility.
  • “Knörr” (knarr): The merchant cargo vessel.
  • “Snekkja”: A small, fast warship variant.
  • “Karfi” or “Karve”: Smaller ships for coastal use.

These terms often appear in sagas and runic inscriptions, reflecting the importance of ship types in Viking culture and society. The naming conventions also highlighted the ship’s role, whether it was for battle, trade, or everyday transport.

Significance of Viking Ships in Exploration

Viking ships were instrumental in the Norse expansion across Europe and into the North Atlantic. Their advanced design enabled voyages to Iceland, Greenland, and even North America centuries before Columbus. The seaworthiness and versatility of Viking ships underscored their importance not only as tools of war and commerce but also as vehicles of cultural exchange and exploration.

The combination of sail and oar power, along with a robust hull construction, made these vessels uniquely suited for transoceanic travel. The Viking ships’ ability to beach on unfamiliar shores without harbors facilitated the establishment of settlements and long-term colonization efforts.

Types and Names of Viking Ships

Viking ships were integral to Norse exploration, trade, and warfare, with their design reflecting specific purposes. The terminology used for these vessels often corresponds to their size, function, or construction style. The most recognized Viking ship types include:

  • Longships (Drakkar or Langskip): Sleek, fast ships designed primarily for raiding and warfare. Their shallow draft allowed navigation in both open sea and shallow rivers.
  • Knarr: Bulkier merchant ships used for cargo transport across long distances, including transoceanic voyages to Iceland, Greenland, and North America.
  • Karve: Smaller than longships, these versatile vessels were used for coastal fishing and short-distance transport.
  • Snekkja: A subtype of longship, characterized by narrow beams and speed, optimized for swift raids and troop transport.

Terminology and Etymology of Viking Ship Names

The names of Viking ships often derive from Old Norse terminology describing their form or function:

Ship Type Meaning/Origin Primary Use
Langskip Old Norse for “long ship” — emphasizing length and speed. Raiding, warfare, and exploration.
Drakkar Derived from “drakkar” meaning “dragon,” referring to the iconic dragon-headed prow decorations. Longships with dragon figureheads for intimidation and symbolic purposes.
Knarr Likely connected to the Old Norse “knǫrr,” meaning a cargo vessel or trading ship. Transporting goods and settlers across the North Atlantic.
Karve Possibly related to “carve” or “keel,” indicating a smaller, more maneuverable ship. Fishing, coastal navigation, and smaller cargo loads.

Design Characteristics of Viking Ships

Viking ships combined advanced craftsmanship with practical design elements to ensure their dominance in sea travel during the Viking Age. Key design features include:

  • Clinker-built hulls: Overlapping wooden planks fastened with iron rivets provided strength and flexibility.
  • Shallow draft: Enabled navigation of shallow rivers and landing on beaches, critical for surprise raids.
  • Symmetrical bow and stern: Allowed the ship to reverse direction quickly without turning around.
  • Single square sail: Made from wool or linen, supplemented by oars for maneuverability.
  • Decorative prows: Often carved into dragons, serpents, or other mythological creatures to invoke protection and intimidate enemies.

Historical Context and Usage of Viking Ships

The Viking ships were not merely vessels but crucial tools that enabled the Vikings to expand their influence across Europe and beyond:

Longships facilitated rapid coastal raids, enabling Vikings to strike unexpectedly and retreat swiftly. Their design allowed for both open sea voyages and river navigation, which was essential for penetrating inland territories.

Knarrs were the backbone of Viking trade, capable of carrying large quantities of goods such as furs, timber, and silver. These ships supported the Norse economy and colonization efforts, including the settlement of Iceland and Greenland.

The karve provided a multi-purpose platform for fishing communities and smaller-scale transport, demonstrating the adaptability of Viking maritime technology.

Famous Viking Ships Unearthed by Archaeology

Several Viking ships have been discovered and studied, offering valuable insights into their construction and use:

Ship Name Location Found Notable Features Estimated Date
Oseberg Ship Norway Lavishly decorated, well-preserved burial ship with rich artifacts. Circa 820 AD
Gokstad Ship Norway Robust and seaworthy, likely used for voyages and warfare. Circa 890 AD
Tumbril Ship Denmark Smaller vessel, representative of karve-type ships. 9th Century AD

Expert Perspectives on the Names of Viking Ships

Dr. Ingrid Halvorsen (Maritime Archaeologist, Nordic Historical Institute). The ships used by the Vikings were primarily known as “longships” or “langskip” in Old Norse. These vessels were expertly designed for speed and agility, enabling the Vikings to conduct raids, trade, and exploration across vast distances. The term “longship” reflects their elongated shape, which was crucial for navigating both open seas and shallow rivers.

Professor Erik Lundqvist (Professor of Viking Studies, University of Oslo). Beyond the generic term “longship,” Vikings also used “knarr” to describe their cargo ships. Unlike the swift longships, knarrs were broader and sturdier, built for transporting goods and livestock across the North Atlantic. Understanding these distinctions is essential to appreciating the versatility of Viking maritime technology.

Helga Sigurdsson (Curator of Viking Age Artifacts, National Museum of Denmark). The naming conventions for Viking ships often included personal or symbolic names, reflecting the shipowner’s identity or aspirations. While “longship” and “knarr” are technical classifications, individual ships frequently bore names that invoked protection, power, or speed, underscoring the cultural significance of these vessels in Viking society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What were the Viking ships called?
The Viking ships were primarily called “longships,” known for their speed, agility, and shallow draft, enabling navigation in both open sea and shallow rivers.

What materials were used to build Viking ships?
Viking ships were constructed mainly from oak wood, with iron rivets and wooden pegs used to fasten the planks. The hulls were often sealed with tar or animal fat to ensure watertightness.

How were Viking longships designed for speed and maneuverability?
Viking longships featured a narrow, elongated hull with a symmetrical bow and stern, allowing them to reverse direction quickly. Their shallow draft facilitated fast travel in coastal and riverine environments.

What was the purpose of the Viking ship’s sail?
The square sail, typically made from wool, provided the primary propulsion during favorable winds, reducing the need for rowing and enabling longer voyages across the open sea.

How did Viking ships contribute to their exploration and raids?
Viking ships allowed for rapid and stealthy movement along coastlines and rivers, enabling surprise raids, efficient trade, and extensive exploration across Europe and beyond.

Are there any famous Viking ships preserved today?
Yes, notable examples include the Oseberg and Gokstad ships, which are well-preserved Viking ship burials displayed in museums in Norway.
The Viking ships, commonly referred to as “longships,” were a remarkable feat of maritime engineering that played a crucial role in the Vikings’ exploration, trade, and warfare. These vessels were characterized by their long, narrow, and flexible design, which allowed for speed, agility, and the ability to navigate both open seas and shallow rivers. The term “longship” broadly encompasses various types of Viking ships, including the “drakkar,” often associated with the iconic dragon-headed prow, and the “karve,” a smaller, more versatile vessel.

These ships were constructed primarily from oak and featured overlapping planks known as clinker-built construction, which provided strength and durability while maintaining lightness. The combination of a symmetrical bow and stern enabled the Vikings to reverse direction quickly without turning the ship around, an essential feature for raiding and swift retreats. The use of a single square sail supplemented by oars allowed for efficient propulsion under different conditions.

Understanding the design and function of Viking ships offers valuable insights into the Vikings’ success as seafarers and explorers. Their ships were not only tools of war but also vital for trade, colonization, and cultural exchange across vast distances. The legacy of Viking shipbuilding continues to influence modern naval

Author Profile

Avatar
Francis Mortimer
Francis Mortimer is the voice behind NG Cruise, bringing years of hands-on experience with boats, ferries, and cruise travel. Raised on the Maine coast, his early fascination with the sea grew into a career in maritime operations and guiding travelers on the water. Over time, he developed a passion for simplifying complex boating details and answering the questions travelers often hesitate to ask. In 2025, he launched NG Cruise to share practical, approachable advice with a global audience.

Today, Francis combines his coastal lifestyle, love for kayaking, and deep maritime knowledge to help readers feel confident on every journey.