Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/149

 Serpent is called the largest vessel that had ever been built in Norway to that time. These were long-ships, which appear to have been a denomination of ships of war, distinguishing them from last-ships, or ships for carrying cargoes. The long-ship was of much smaller breadth in proportion to the length. The long-ships appear to have been divided into two classes: dragon ships, from the figure head probably of a dragon being used on them, and which appear to have had from twenty to thirty rowers on each side; and snekiars, or cutters, with from ten to twenty rowers on a side. The Crane had thirty banks for rowers; and the forecastle and poop were high, and the vessel very narrow in proportion to her length. The Long Serpent had thirty-four banks for rowers, and the saga gives some interesting details concerning her. The length of her keel, we are told, that rested upon the grass, was 74 ells. This ell is stated by Macpherson, in his " Annals of Commerce," on the authority of Thorkelin, a learned antiquary, who was keeper of the Loyal Library at Copenhagen, to have been equal to a foot and a half English measure. We have, therefore, 111 feet at the least, as the length of keel of this vessel. This would be within about 10 feet of the length of keel of one of our frigates of 42 guns, and of 942 tons burden, and of a breadth of 38 feet and a depth of 13 feet; or, taking a steam vessel of 111 feet of keel, the extreme breadth would be 22 feet, the depth 13½ feet, the tonnage 296 tons, and the horse-power 120. These are dimensions and proportions given for 111 feet of keel in the able articles on ship building and on steam navigation in the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." The Long Serpent, being a rowing as well as sailing vessel, would have as much rake of stem and stern as a steamer; and would be as long on deck. She is described as of good breadth, but the breadth is not stated; well timbered, for which