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Brief Glossary Naturally, the mariners of the Viking period had their own names for each component part of their vessels. This list gives the standard English-language names for the most prominent of these structural parts, together with some Old Norse names for types of ships. (The Old Norse terms are denoted by an asterix) after-stem a curved extension of the keel reaching up to the stern bulkhead an upright partition within the hull of a craft caulking a tarred rope of animal hair between the strakes to keep the craft watertight crossbeam a timber stretching from side to side of the craft draught the distance from the waterline to the bottom of the keel about a metre on Gokstad faering* a foar-oared boat. Some carried sails floor timber similar to a side timber, but starting at the keel fore-stem a curved extension of the keel reaching up to the bow freeboard that part of the craft between the waterline and the sheerline about a metre on Gokstad garboard the first strake, closest to keel halfskip - see knφrr knee a curving piece of wood connecting the framing to the strakes keel the protruding timber running lengthwise along the bottom of the vessel keelson a timber attached above the keel to give extra support to the mast keelson knee a knee connecting the keelson to the garboard keel scarf the joint between the keel and the fore and after-stems knφrr* a sea-going trading ship, similar to Gokstad but broader. Also known as a halfskip longship a sea-going fighting ship mast fish a huge curved central timber used on Oseberg and Gokstad ships to support the weight of the mast mast step a shaped depression in the keelson to support the mast oarports holes in the sheerline strake to accommodate oars sheerline the top strake side timber similar to a knee, but stretching over and thus strengthening several strakes stanchion a vertical post extending from the keel to the crossbeams strakes overlapping planks forming sides of ship treenails wooden pegs holding two timbers together, held in place with a wedge driven into the inboard end of the peg |
