Sebbe Als
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 Sebbe Als under sail, September 2006
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 (Denmark) | |
| Laid down | 1968 |
| Launched | 1969 |
| Homeport | Augustenborg, Denmark |
| Identification | MMSI number: 912191202 |
| Status | In use |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Viking ship, Snekke |
| Displacement | 3,5 tons |
| Length | LOA: 17,5 m |
| Beam | 2.5 m |
| Draught | 0.6 m loaded |
| Propulsion | Sail & oars |
| Speed | 12 kt (22 km/h) |
| Complement | min. 11, max 30 |
Sebbe Als is a replica of a Viking ship, Skuldelev wreck no. 5. She is the oldest sailing 'fiver' in Denmark.
Construction
A sailing trip with the Imme Gram and the then newly found Skuldelev wrecks became the inspiration for the creation of Sebbe Als.
She was built by a group of local volunteers, a large number of whom were the local Scouts of Augustenborg, and she was launched in 1969.
The construction drawings were the first crude drawings from the Skuldelev
She was built with copies of the original tools, mainly adzes, manufactured by the local blacksmith after Viking age finds.
There was no local shipyard with sufficient room, so she was built in the-then Augustenborg Lumber Yard. When the lumber yard was closed, and a new yacht harbour built in its place, a naust (a traditional Norwegian boathouse) was built about half a nautical mile from the harbour. Each winter Sebbe Als is pulled into the naust for storage and maintenance. Most of the maintenance and repair work is done in 'work weekends' during the winter.
Sebbe is
Ownership
Sebbe Als is owned by "Vikingeskibslaget Sebbe Als" ("The Sebbe Als Viking Ship Guild"), which is a self-owned association with members all over Denmark as well as in neighbouring countries and in the United States.
The Guild also owns a smaller Viking ship - or, more correctly, a Fareoe boat - the Ottar Als, which is used for training, or simply for pleasure.
A small
Experiments
The wreck of Skuldelev no. 5 was so well preserved, that wear marks from the original rig could be found. Sebbes mast and rig was reconstructed from these marks, but it was still necessary to experiment to clarify many of the details. As a result, Sebbe now has a 45 m2 square sail with only the top yard, and the steering oar has an angle of approx. 25° instead of the vertical position originally planned.
Following the experiments, the shipbuilders of the Viking age have earned much respect. Sebbe Als is not very good at tacking; at the best of times she can go only 45 degrees to the wind, but the speed is impressive, as she is approximately twice as fast as the original calculations indicated. She can easily run at 12 knots (22 km/h) on a half wind. A motivated crew can row her to about 6 knots (11 km/h), and it is faster to row her straight against the wind than tacking.
Many of the experiences gained from the use of Sebbe Als has proved useful in the construction and handling of other replicas, including Havhingsten fra Glendalough ("Sea Stallion from Glendalough").
The type of ship is so unusual nowadays that the Danish Maritime Authority has set special rules for crew and equipment. As an example, despite the low tonnage of the ship, the ship's master must at least hold a licence as Yacht Master Third class, and the ship must have a crew of at least 11. The rules are revised every few years.
Use
Every year Sebbe Als undertakes a summer cruise, usually of 1 – 3 weeks duration, and has travelled along most of the Danish and north German coasts. Smaller sailing trips happen in accordance with the choice of the Guild's members, whenever a crew can be assembled.
The longest sailing trip voyage of Sebbe Als went from Hedeby (
The longest travel voyage of Sebbe Als went to the United States - she participated in the
She is often used in film or TV productions about the Viking age.
External links
- Vikingeskibslaget Sebbe Als (in Danish)
- The school service about Skuldelev 5 (in Danish)