Major step taken in Skuldelev 5 Viking ship reconstruction

The construction of a replica of the historic Skuldelev 5 Viking ship has reached a major new milestone at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde—two of the longest planks have now been successfully positioned on the vessel.

With the ship finally taking shape, the organizers hope it will be ready for launch sometime in 2026. 

Replacing an old favorite

The boatyard of the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde is home to a series of specialist construction projects, where Viking Age techniques are used to build replicas of historical vessels.

The reconstruction of the Skuldelev 5 Viking warship is the biggest undertaking currently underway at the boatyard. Together with the other Skuldelev ships, the original Skuldelev 5 was found during underwater investigations at Roskilde Fjord in 1959.

Dating to the 11th century, the ships are believed to have been deliberately sunk in an effort to protect the residents of Roskilde from invaders. The ships were excavated in 1962 and have been housed at the museum ever since.

Roskilde does have one existing replica of Skuldelev 5, the Helge Ask. Having been launched in 1991, however, the Helge Ask is now reaching the end of its usable life.

The new construction, which began in 2022 and is now in its fourth season, is expected to be completed in 2026. Although similar in most respects to the Helge Ask, the new vessel is being built based on a more sophisticated understanding of Viking Age shipbuilding. 

A 13.7-meter (45 ft) plank has been successfully split and fitted as part of the Skuldelev 5 ship reconstruction. Photo: Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde

A great leap forward

The boatbuilders have been working hard to shape the ship's hull, beginning with long oak planks to form its base.

This season, the main focus has been on installing the fifth and sixth strakes of the vessel, both of which are made from pine. The fifth strake, in particular, has presented a significant challenge, as it has to be produced from a plank of 13.7 meters (45 ft) that runs almost the entire length of the ship.

The first task was to source a log long enough and straight enough to produce the planks needed. The second was to cleave, or split, the log without causing any damage that would prevent the team from using the planks effectively.

According to a report from the museum, many of the builders were concerned, in particular, about the late summer heat causing cracks in the wood.

Happily, the builders were able to cleave the log successfully to produce two long planks for the strakes of the hull. These planks were then hung in place on the sides of the developing ship and fastened into place.

With the strakes finally in position, the team members were able to breathe a sigh of relief, having achieved a major milestone after several years of anticipation. 

• READ MORE: All you need to know about Viking ships

Work on the Skuldelev 5 reconstruction progresses as boatbuilders add newly prepared planks to the growing hull. Photo: Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde

Nearing its final form

With several weeks of the outdoor construction season still to go, the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde will allow visitors to the boatyard until mid-October.

At that point, as the weather makes it more difficult to operate outside, the boatbuilders will turn much of their attention to maintaining the museum's collection of reconstructed Viking ships and traditional Nordic wooden boats.

In 2026, work on the hull of Skuldelev 5 is expected to be nearly complete, after which the team will focus on the finishing touches in preparation for launch.

When finished, the ship will measure just over 17 meters (56 ft) in length, with a width of 2.5 meters (8 ft).

Like many of the other vessels built at the museum, it will likely be used for trips around the waters of Roskilde Fjord. In time, however, it is also expected to sail on longer voyages, both around Scandinavia and further afield.

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