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Harbour Breton Welcomes Vikings !

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The Islendingur arriving at Harbour Breton

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The arrival ceremonies

 On Wednesday, August 9, 2000, the Town of Harbour Breton welcomed the Islendingur and its crew of modern day Vikings.

The Islendingur was escorted into Harbour Breton by a flotilla of local pleasure and fishing boats.  The Captain and crew were greeted by  local dignitaries, federal and provincial politicians, representatives of the corporate
sponsors and hundreds of residents of the Coast of Bays region and central Newfoundland.   Following this, a reception, hosted by the provincial government, was held at the local Lions Club.

The Islendingur, a replica Viking longship, earlier this year retraced Leif Ericson's voyages from Iceland to Greenland to L'Anse aux Meadows.  Click here to learn more about the Vikings. The ship is now circumnavigating the province as part of the provincial celebrations of the arrival of the Vikings. Performing at each port of call is the well known recording group, "The Fables".

The Islendingur (Icelander in english) was built in 1996 and measures 22.5 meters long by 5.3 meters wide. The vessel draws 1.7 meters of water and is constructed of oak and pine. The vessel is 80 tons gross and her average speed is seven knots. In the Viking age, a ship like the Islendingur would often have around 70 crewmembers with a double shift of rowers for the 32 oars.

The arrival of the Islendingur at Harbour Breton also coincides with the town's civic holiday and the beginning of three days of annual celebrations called the "Tradition by the Sea".  The Islendingur will leave on Friday and sail to the Burin Peninsula as it continues its tour of the province.