Sea Stallion of Glendalough in Wicklow Harbour July 3-6 2008
Sea Stallion of Glendalough in Wicklow Bay Alongside South Quay, Wicklow
Last Thursday morning of July 3rd, Wicklow Harbour Master, Captain John Barlow got a phone call from his counterpart in Howth Harbour telling him that the Viking Longship replica, Sea Stallion of Glendalough, was coming back to her roots and was expected to arrive in Wicklow later that afternoon. The alarm was raised and the call went out from the Harbour Master that the Vikings were coming – but instead of a call to arms, it was a case of what can Wicklow do to welcome the modern version of our former conquerors/settlers. The name Wicklow is a modern version of Vikinglo (various meanings - Viking Alo (Viking’s Beacon) or Vikings Meadow or Bay of the Ships) so it is very appropriate that this wonderful ship should pay a visit to the town.
Wicklow Town Council, Wicklow Chamber of Commerce and Wicklow Sailing Club agreed to join forces to create a warm Wicklow Welcome for the modern Viking crew. Escorted down Wicklow Bay by some yachts from WSC and both RNLI lifeboats, the Sea Stallion dropped sail outside the harbour and rowed to their berth on South Quay in miserable damp Irish conditions. As Skipper Carsten Hviv stepped onto the quay, he was greeted by newly elected Mayor, Cllr. John O Brien and Captain Barlow. Within minutes of their arrival, Wicklow school Educate Together at Marine House offered their facilities for crew accommodation, while Wicklow SC made their showers and toilets available to them. Conwayport made their shed available for storage, eating and power facilities, where all the crews meals were prepared – catering for 62 as if they were still at sea, maintaining the on board routine on shore. Poor weather forecasts from Met Eireann had forced their hand in coming to Wicklow, interrupting their progress towards the English Channel, with Friday and Saturday forecasts bringing further bad news in this regard.
On Saturday afternoon, crew member and ships historian, Louise Kæmpe Henriksen, gave a very enlightening and well presented talk/slide show of the entire Sea Stallion Project from the discovery of the Skuldelev 2 near Roskilde Harbour, built with Irish timbers, to the construction of the Sea Stallion of Glendalough and its outward voyage to Dublin in 2007. An enthralled audience of young and old alike enjoyed every minute of the talk with Louises’ enthuasiasm coming through with each new slide opened up. Of keen interest to all present
Cooking/eating facilities in Conways shed Louise in action WSC talk on Sea Stallion Project
was how 62 people could manage to cope in an open boat for 5 or 6 days at a time with less than 1 square metre of personal space each and, of course, the toilet facilities on an open boat with a mixed sex crew – let’s just say, you would not want to be prudish on board. An interesting feature for those who appreciate a good sleep – sleeping bags are not allowed on board – in the event of a capsize, they would be lethal on an open boat, so crew sleep in their weather gear with a woollen blanket and close neighbours for warmth. In keeping with the Viking way of doing things, journeys would have been planned for 6/7 days maximum, so Sea Stallion carries supplies of food and water for 6 days, only reverting to the supply ship when exhausted.
Skipper Carsten spooks Commodore John Johnson Crew preparing to depart Sun am
Saturday night, all of the crew were invited jointly by the Town Council, Chamber of Commerce and Sailing Club to a formal reception in the WSC premises, where a liberal supply of wine and food was available. Welcoming speeches and presentations were made to Skipper Carsten and his merry band of ”Vikings”. Also present on the night were a group of sailing visitors from our twinned town of Portmadoc – Dr John Jones Morris and his crew on Altricia.
Rowing out of Wicklow Harbour Sea Stallion crew raising sail Sea Stallion passing Wicklow Head
Sunday morning and at last good news from Met Eireann – a favourable if light NE wind was forecasted, so Skipper Carsten was finally able to make plans to head for Portsmouth, approximately 4 days sailing time away. At 12 midday, his crew boarded ship, oars were deployed and they rowed themselves safely out of Harbour, having been wished fair sailing by Mayor O Brien. Outside the harbour, oars were stowed, the sail was unfurled and in company with 6 or 7 yachts and the Annie Blaker Lifeboat, they set sail past Wicklow Head. Progress was slow with the light airs but a good tide gave them a morale boosting whoosh down the Wicklow coastline past the Arklow Bank windmills. Monday afternoon saw them off the Bristol Channel with a freshening NW breeze so they can expect to be around Lands End before dark. Their progress back to Roskilde can be followed on their website http://www.havhingsten.dk
After a gap of nearly 1000 years, instead of the arms of conflict of former times, it was the warm hand of friendship from Wicklow, a former Viking settlement, that Sea Stallion of Glendalough sailed into and their boat and crew have left wonderful memories that will live long with those fortunate enough to have enjoyed the experience of meeting them.
Charlie Kavanagh
7th July 08
Other Photos - (compliments of Richard Nairn and Charlie Kavanagh)
