A Viking ship that was built in 1892 and sailed across the Atlantic, down the Erie Canal, through the Great Lakes and to Chicago for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, is currently in need of your help. The image above is of this ship moored in front of Manufactures, Chicago, in 1893.
This 76-foot ship, known as The Viking, is currently housed in Geneva at Good Templar Park (near Chicago). Left to neglect, this ship is doomed unless a restoration project receives funds.
From an article by the Norwegian National League:
The "Viking" was built at Framnes Shipyard in Sandefjord, Norway in 1892. It was copied after the ancient Viking ship "Gokstad". Excavated in 1880, the "Gokstad" had been called the most beautiful ship ever built. The "Viking" is approximately 76 feet long, 17 feet wide, and 7 feet high from the bottom of the keel to the gunwale. Clinker built with planking hand split from green logs, the "Viking" made 11 knots and the hull was observed to flex with the waves.
Most importantly, the Viking ship was declared one of ten most endangered historic sites in Illinois by a statewide historic preservation group.
American Express is running a competition for projects to receive funds, and the Viking ship is in the runoff. Some of the other projects and buildings in the competition might be nice things to do, but are not in as imminent danger of being destroyed --- the Viking ship will decay into the water unless we take action now to preserve this important cultural icon.
How can you help?
Go to: the partnership in preservation site, register, and VOTE FOR THE VIKING SHIP - you can vote ONCE A DAY, EVERY DAY, until voting ends on October 10, 2007.
Other links of interest on Vikings and Viking Ships:
- http://www.vikingship.us
- http://www.stigombord.dk/index_uk.html
- http://www.abc.se/~m10354/bld/viking.htm
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/ships.html
- http://sio.midco.net/danstopicalstamps/gokstad.htm
- http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/vikingteacher.htm
- http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/norse.html
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