viking ship museum/national museum of denmark

The Faroese boat has been developed and adapted to the special sailing conditions around the Faroe Islands with strong currents and sudden gusts. The boat was primarily developed as a rowing boat but could also be powered by sail. It was built in different sizes, but the boatbuilders always had to rely on materials imported from abroad or in addition use driftwood for various boat components. This volume presents the building and use of the Faroese boat. It shows the boat’s great importance to the Faroese society, for fishing and transporting people and goods. The building process, craftsmanship and seamanship are examined in great detail, and the maritime history of the Faroese Islands from the Viking Age and until the 1970’s are presented.