Leif Erikson Research Paper

Leif Erikson or Leif Ericson I don’t know witch one it is it gives me both c. 970 – c. 1020 was a Norse explorer from Iceland. He was the

first

known European to have discovered continental North America before Christopher Columbus. He also established a Norse settlement on the

northern tip of Newfoundland in modern-day Canada. Leif was the son of Erik the Red, the founder of the first Norse settlement in

Greenland

and of Thjodhild both of Norwegian origin. His birth date is unknown but they say he had been born in Iceland, which had recently been

colonized by Norway.

Viking ships

The boat-types were varied, depending on what the ship was intended for but they were generally characterized as being slender and

flexible boats, with symmetrical

ends. They were clinker built, which is the overlapping of planks riveted together. Some might have had a
dragon's head or other circular object protruding from the bow and stern. Viking ships were not just used for their military prowess but for
long-distance trade, exploration and colonization. Viking ships are usually seen divided into two broad categories: merchant ships and
warships. some kinds of merchant ships, built for transporting cargo specifically, could also be used as warships. The majority of Viking
ships were designed for sailing rivers and coastal waters a few types such as the knarr could navigate the open sea and even the ocean.
Knarr is the Norse term for ships that were built for Atlantic voyages. They were cargo ships averaging a length of about 54 feet, a beam
of 15 feet, and a hull capable of carrying up to 122 tons. Overall displacement: 50 tons. This is shorter than the Gokstad type of longships
and knarrs was sturdier in design and they depended mostly on wind-power only putting oars to use veery little if there was no wind on the
open water.
Longships were naval vessels made and used by the Vikings from Scandinavia and Iceland for trade, commerce, exploration, and warfare
during the Viking Age. longship's design evolved over many years, beginning in the Stone Age with the invention of the umiak and
continuing up to the 9th century with the Nydam and Kvalsund ships.