VIKING SHIP

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 108, 29 December 1931, Page 2

VIKING SHIP

NORWAY'S TREASURE VESSEL IN WHICH QUEEN • WAS BURIED 1100 YEARS AGO OLDEST BOAT IN WORLD Out of the stormy North Sea I sailed into Norway on a fine- Sunday morning, writes Nellie M. Scanlan in the "Dominion." The North Sea had been in a dirty temper, its usual condition, and to slip under the lee of the land, to sail up the Oslo Fjord for many hours, sheltered by the rugged hills, which thrust their pine-clad, rocky shoulders into. the smooth water, was to taste the mariner's joy of entering harbour. I am a very good i sailor, and have not missed a meal in Atlantic storms, hut I resented the behaviour of the North Sea, for it broke my record of 15 years. qeauty — But Not Friendliness Pefhaps it was that Sunday air, that gives any city detachment, but Oslo felt very remote. It has austere beauty, a grandeur of hills, a generosity of waterways, but it lacks the warm frendliness of fertility. Here, you felt, is a place to come, but not to stay; to visit, but not live. The City of Oslo is gathered at the head of the Fjord, and spreads out over the surrounding hills — hills only they are, not mountains, in the immediate vicinity, rising little higher than those that surround Sydney Harbour or Wellington. Further back rise the rugged mountains, which, pine-clad, supply one of Norway's greatest sources of revenue — timber and paper pulp. Norway, home of the Vikings, has behind it a splendid tradition of gallant seafaring men. These tall, fair giants were raiders and adventurers, and have mingled their blood with the peoples of Europe and the Baltic. Oldest Ship in the World In a museum, specially. built to house it, now rests the Viking, ship, which is claimed to be the oldest ship in the world. Thirty years ago it was found embedded in blue clay, and iiivestigation proved it to be the Viking ship in which Queen Ase was buried 1100 years ago. There is a quality in the blue clay which has preserved it, but the curved prow, rising into a different strata of earth, had crumbled into decay. After weathering a North Sea storm, I looked at this frail craft with additional awe and respect. Was the North Sea, in those far-off days . a little milder? Or did they navigate only the land-locked waters of the f jords in such boats ? This ship belonged to the fair Queen Ase. It was her pleasure boat, and when she died she was buried in it, as was the custom of her day. And so that she should he fully equipped for the crossing into the Unknown World that lay beyond death, the ship contained a small cart, with marvellously carved wooden wheels, and a sledge, with carved runners. Leather barrels, which no doubt contained water, and supplies of food were also placed beside her. These were in an excellent state of preserva tion. Her jewels, too, lay beside her, and such comforts as she might need on her lonely journey. The finding of this ship has been of great interest and proved beyond doubt how the ancient Viking built his boat. This one is 63 feet long, and is studded with silver nails which hold the planks together. It must have required considerable preparation to dig .•a grave large enough to accommodate the whole ship, with its cargo of treasure. Now, after 1100 years, it has been accidentally discovered, and is among the most highly prized treasures of Norway.

The present ruler, King Haakon, a man of giant stature, is married to a sister of King George. Queen Maud has been one of the happiest of our Royal Family. The King adores his wife, and she leads a simple life, riding, skating ski-ing, with not a great deal of official splendour and plenty of freedom. The royal palace at Oslo stands on an eminence at the end of a busy street, a dignified square white building. But the summer residence is merely a large farmhouse, without any royal pretensions at all. No Fears Of Communism Prosperous countries are not greatly worried by fears of Communism. When men are well paid, well clothed, well fed, with adequate freedom, and ample opportunity for advancement, .they are not tempted to tinker with theories that would exchange present comfort for a doubtful millennium. It is want, hunger, poverty, oppression, and despair that fill the ranks of the Communists. Having nothing, they are prepared to change it for anything that promises improvement, even if it is only a promise. Sweden is not bothered with Communism, but I will speak of that in another article. Norway, however, is one of the depressed countries to-day. For over four months there have been strikes and lock-outs, and I think some of the spirit of revolt has left its mark upon the populace. The people who hung about the waterfront, looked dejected. There was not the same neatness about hedges and lawns and public parks. It was just in little things that you noticed a slackness. Conflicts Leave Their Mark The workers want two weeks' holiday' on full pay every year, and medical attendance free for the whole family. The employers will not grant it. This has led to the strikes. There are other grievances, but much of the present trouble hinges on this. And how quickly these conflicts leave a mark upon a city. I do nqt express any opinion on the rights or wrongs of the business. One cannot. But this lovely old city did not seem quite happy to me. One incident reveals something of how things are trending. The Socialists are in power in the city, and they decided not to invite King Haakon to the laying of the fonndation-stone of a new city hall, though he had been a very generous donor to its building fund. The King apparently has a strong sense of humour, so he retained for himself and his family four tickets similar to - those given to all donors to the fund. And he went.