One of the events marking the celebration of the Millennium Year of the Manx Tynwald (Parliament) was the re-enactment of a Viking longship from Norway to the Island of Man. Organized by a local businessman, Mr Robin Bigland, the project was funded by popular subscription and the Manx Government.
The proceeds of 5,000 covers carried on the voyage helped.
The name to be given the longship was decided in a competition among the school children, the winner being ODIN’S RAVEN.
The ship is a two-thirds-replica of the GOKSTAD ship in the Oslo museum, built by Rød Båtbyggeri of Onsø near Fredrikstad, on Oslo Fjord. Her keel was laid op 29 August 1978, and she was launched on 28 April 1979.
While the ship was building a crew was selected from over 450 applicants, eleven Manxmen and five Norwegians were selected and given tough commando-type training.
The intention was to retrace the route of the original Viking ship, the dangers of which may be appreciated when it is realized that only one of the three of the original ships reached its destination. Departure from Trondheim was on 27 May 1979. Severe gales forced the vessel to stay close to the Norwegian coast for a time. Despite this, the hazards of the North Sea crossing were overcome without undue incident. However, disaster struck at the Isle of Skye on the Northwest coast of Scotland when a squall overturned the vessel during a filming session. Fortunately, there were no injuries and no serious damage to the vessel, but a delay for repairs forced the cancellation of a planned visit to Ireland.
The voyage reached its triumphant conclusion when the vessel sailed into Peel Harbour on 4 July 1979 to a tumultuous welcome from a huge crowd of people.
ODIN’S RAVEN has a tonnage of 44 ton and dim.is 50 x 11 ft. Built of seasoned oak using the original Viking technique of building the ship from the keel and outer planks first and, bracing the structure with frames lashed to the already finely-shaped hull.
She carried 50 square metres of sail and is somewhat under-canvassed in light winds. Because she had a crew of only sixteen men, a small auxiliary engine was fitted for emergencies.
The ODIN’S RAVEN is now in a museum at Peel, Island of Man.
Isle of Man 1979 15p sg158, scott? (Also in a MS together with sg 129)
Source: R.J. Pllard; Gibbons Stamp Monthly, Nov 1979. Popular Archaeology, August 1979. Watercraft Philately volume 27 page 31.