Viking Ships in Mythology         By Mark Sanderson

That ships were important to the Vikings is undeniable, from small fishing boats and ferries to warrior laden long-ships and even luxury yachts, but the Gods didn’t seem to need ships as much as men did. Odin had his eight legged horse, Sleipnir, Thor and Freya had their chariots, drawn by goats and cats respectively, and Frey had his golden bristled boar, all of which seemingly moved over land and sea, or through the air with equal ease. Apparently only Frey and Baldr had ships.

Frey was the proud owner of a ship named Skidbladnir, which was commissioned by Loki from the dwarf Dvalin after Loki had got himself into a spot of bother. Skidbladnir could not only sail on the seas, but could also fly through the air, and while it was large enough to carry all the Gods and their gear, it was so skilfully constructed that it could be folded up, like a cloth, and put into a pouch. The existence of Skidbladnir is mentioned in the Ynlinga Saga, but as to whether or not  Frey ever took it out of its pouch isn’t.

The boat owned by Baldr isn’t mentioned as a mode of transport either, except at Baldr’s funeral. Hringhorn was reputed to be the biggest and best of all ships. When Baldr died from injuries inflicted by his blind brother, Hodr, whose hand was guided by the treacherous Loki, it was decided that Baldr’s funeral pyre should be on board his ship. Vast quantities of wood were cut from a nearby forest and placed on the deck of Hringhorn. Each of the Gods then placed one of their most treasured possessions on the pyre. The Gods had been so eager to give their brother Baldr a goos send off that they could not launch the ship. Even the mighty Thor didn’t have the strength. Only the giantess Hyrrokin could give the ship enough of a nudge to get it into the water. Even then the friction between the ship and it’s rollers caused the rollers to burst into flame.

The Gods aren’t the only ones to have a magnificent ship. As I write, the giants are busy a ship in Helheim. Its name is Naglfari, which means ‘nail ship’ and it is being constructed from the finger nails of the dead. It will be ready by the time of Ragnarok, and will be launched on the huge waves that will be created when Jormungand, the world serpent, rises from his lair at the bottom of the sea. The ship will ferry the giants, and the sons of Muspel, to the Vigrid field, to do battle with the Gods.

            “It is worth taking care that no-one dies with unclipped nails, because they add much to Naglfari, which both the Gods and man would wish a long time to complete.” Says Snorri Sturlusson in Voluspa Saga.

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