Longship

As long ships are referred to rowing vessels, which are considerably longer than wide. Many ancient cultures, including major seafaring people knew longships.

Greeks

Greek longships were rowing boats, which were built by the Greeks in the 1st millennium BC, before the development of galleys with several rows of belts. These ships ( for example, the ship types Pentekontere ( Fünfzigruderers ) and Triakontere ( Dreißigruderers ) had partly considerable proportions: The length of a Pentekontere is estimated at 35 to 40 meters.

The oldest mentioned nave is the Argo in the Argonautica, on the Jason and the Argonauts went to Colchis to capture the Golden Fleece.

The bireme developed - was from the Greek longships - probably around 800 BC.

Roman Empire

Some Roman and late antique ship types can be described as long- ships, such as the Navis lusoria.

Saxony

In 1939 was found in Sutton Hoo on the River Deben, East Anglia, a nave of 24 meters in length, which served in the 7th century as a grave for an English king, probably Raedwald the Red.

Many ships were also certain routes to be transported over land. So it is said of St. Olav ( The King ) had put the ships on the ridge between the lakes.

Also remarkable was the seaworthiness. 1968 drove a group of 32 Danish Scouts with the longship replica Imme Gram the Thames upstream and tried the ship to capsize. Despite the effort did not succeed.