Did the Norse Use Longships to Sail to the Americas?

The Norse used longships to sail to the Americas, a feat that pushed the boundaries of maritime exploration in the 10th century. Predominantly, these longships were designed for both speed and versatility, allowing them to navigate open seas and shallow waters, making them well-suited for exploration and raiding.

Design and Purpose of Longships

Longships differed from galleys, which were primarily powered by rowers and often used in the Mediterranean. Norse longships had a combination of sails and oars, which allowed for greater range and adaptability in various maritime conditions. The design of the longship enabled the Norse to undertake significant voyages across the Atlantic, reaching the North American continent long before Christopher Columbus did.

Longships for Exploration

Longships were raiding ships, designed for speed above all. They had relatively little cargo room; the Norse were more focused on stealing silver and gold, not cattle and grain. For long voyages with colonists and livestock, or long-range trading, the Norse used knarrs, which were specifically designed as wide-bodied seagoing freight vessels more suitable for such journeys.

The Role of Knarrs and Other Craft

While longships were the primary vessels for exploration, evidence indicates that the Norse also used knarrs, merchant-ships that were a cousin of the drakkar longships. Knarrs were built to carry larger cargoes and were essential for long-distance trade and settlement.

Apart from the Norse, earlier seafarers, especially from Scotland and Ireland, likely used skin-covered boats, known as currachs, to make the trips. These boats were well-suited for coastal and shallow waters, making them ideal for the types of journeys undertaken during the Viking era.

Further Evidence and Sources

For more information, you might enjoy reading Farley Mowat's book The Farfarers, which delves into the early history of transatlantic exploration. There is evidence suggesting that the Norse did venture beyond Newfoundland, exploring the American coast, possibly via the St. Lawrence Sea Way. Some even speculate that they may have explored further, reaching lands that are still unknown today.

Reliability and Adaptability

The longships were very sea-worthy vessels, capable of being moved across land if necessary. During the era of Viking exploration, the longship was a reliable and fast vessel, even capable of carrying significant weight. The Danes, for example, ventured far in longships, even to Greenland, which was mostly free of ice at the time.

Expansion to Greenland and Beyond

From there, it's possible that the Norse ventured down the American coast. Evidence suggests that they may have even traced the St. Lawrence Sea Way. The exact extent of their exploration remains a topic of much speculation and research, but one thing is clear: the Norse were adept at navigating and colonizing new lands using their longships and the knowledge they had acquired over centuries of seafaring.