The 60ft-long Saga Farmann, built by the Viking Heritage Foundation using ancient Nordic techniques, arrived last week in the Pool of London — but was not on a raid.
This was the final destination of a two-year voyage reconstructing the Klåstadskipet ship from AD998, an achievement in maritime archaeology and traditional shipbuilding craftsmanship.
The Saga Farmann, with 18 volunteer crew and speeds of 10 to 12 knots under sail, has extended its stay until the weekend.
This is when the annual St Katharine’s Classic Boat Festival takes place on September 6 and 7 with the famous Little Ships that took part in the 1940 Dunkirk evacuations.
The Viking replica first set sail in 2023 from Tønsberg in Norway, retracing the ancient trade routes across Europe, navigating the Aegean, Adriatic and the Black Sea.
It was built using traditional oak and pine with period tools and iron nails, to carry the spirit of Viking exploration into the modern age — although equipped with modern safety features like its four electronic motors and satellite navigation.
