After a five-month expedition across the high seas, the world’s largest modern Viking ship will arrive in New York City September 17th, reports DNAInfo.
Inspired by the journey of Leif Eriksson, the first known European to discover North America five hundred years before Columbus, the Draken Harald Hårfagre left Haugesund, Norway in April on a mission to cross the Atlantic, Viking-style. Now, that mission has been accomplished: the open 115-foot wooden boat is set to dock in Battery Park City’s North Cove Marina, where it will be on display and open for tours until September 26th. Leif would be proud.
Not that the expedition was without its challenges, notes the ship’s website. The Draken and her crew "encountered storms, icebergs, unpredicted weathers and many challenges along the route," which took them past Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, into the St. Lawrence Seaway (with a pit stop in Detroit), and finally down the Erie Canal.
"The crew and I look forward to this historic moment when Draken docks at the North Cove Marina on the Island of Manhattan," says Captain Björn Ahlander This is not something we get to do every day."
Nor is it something we get to see every day. Tours of the ship, which run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (full schedule here), are $10 for adults and $5 for children (free for aspiring Vikings under six).