Odin's Raven

Odin's Raven is a 2/3 scale replica of the Gokstad ship, which was sailed from Trondheim to Peel, Isle of Man, by a joint Manx and Norwegian crew. The project formed part of the 1979 Manx Millennium Celebrations, and was conceived and planned by local businessman Robin Bigland.^[1][2][3]

Technical details

Odin's Raven is 50 ft (15 m) in length, 11 ft (3.4 m) beam, and 3 ft (0.91 m) draft to keel, (4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) draft to steering oar). She was built at Rød Båtbyggeri,^[4] Fredrikstad, Elingaardskilen, near the entrance to Oslofjord.^[5]

Technical advice was obtained from Alan Binns of Hull University, who sailed for the first half of the voyage; Eric Rudstrom, a fembøring sailor; and Rolf Hansen, who had extensive experience of sailing traditional square-rigged boats. She is clinker-built of oak with galvanised iron fasteners, and her frames are lashed in place with nylon cord. A 20 HP motor was provided for safety reasons, but rarely used. The boat was skippered by Eddie Kaighin.^[6]

Following sea trials on Oslofjord, Odin's Raven was shipped to Trondheim.^[7]

Route of the voyage

Setting out from Trondheim on 27 May 1979, she was sailed by her crew of 16 via:

• Kjorsvik
• Ålesund
• Honingsvag
• Ninian Central Platform, Brent oilfield
• Lerwick
• Kirkwall
• Rousay
• Sule Skerry
• Sheshader Bay, Eye Peninsula, Isle of Lewis
• Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
• Portree, Skye (where the crew experienced a capsize during sailing evolutions^{[clarification needed]} for the camera)
• Kyle of Lochalsh
• Tobermory
• Oban
• Gulf of Corryvreckan
• Port Ellen, Islay (where she was met by HM Submarine Odin)
• Portpatrick, Mull of Galloway,

arriving at Peel, Isle of Man on 5 July 1979 (Tynwald Day).^[8][3]

As well as being followed by a film crew for BBC TV, the story of the project and the voyage was recorded in a book by Michael Ingram "The Voyage of Odin's Raven".^[8]

Museum exhibit

Odin's Raven is displayed as a museum exhibit at the House of Manannan in Peel, in the former Peel railway station.^[9]