Vikings sail again

Jul 03, 2007
From wire reports

KAUNAS 's A Lithuanian man has taken the helm of a Viking longship for the first time in centuries.

A faithful reconstruction of the type of ship that used to ply Baltic waters to trade and raid along the coastline has been built by history enthusiasts from Vilnius who are interested in Viking shipbuilding techniques and culture.

"We've done what nobody has ever done in Lithuania - we've revived ancient shipbuilding," said Marius Duoplys, captain of the 'Drakas' in an interview with the Lietuvos Zinios daily.

The ship is based on plans from the early Middle Ages but was built using modern techniques and computer design. Measuring 12 meters by 2.5 meters, it will carry a crew of up to 20 and has a top speed of 12 knots [26 kph]. It took nine months to construct and cost nearly 100,000 litas.

The Drakas was constructed near Kaunas city and underwent its first trials this week. It will spend its first summer in the city before sailing up the Nemunas River to the Curonian Lagoon.

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