Leif Erikson (ship) facts for kids
_-_Vang_Studio_-_circa_1926.jpg)
The Leif Erikson docked at Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City. Photograph taken circa December 1926.
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Norway |
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| Name | Leif Erikson |
| Laid down | 1925 |
| Launched | April 20, 1926 |
| Fate | Placed on display in Leif Erikson Park, Duluth, Minnesota, USA; transferred to the Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 42 ft (12.8 m) |
| Beam | 12 ft 9 in (3.7 m) |
The Leif Erikson is a special ship, a Viking ship replica! It was built to remember the amazing journey of Leif Erikson. He was a brave explorer who is believed to have reached North America more than a thousand years ago.
Contents
History of the Leif Erikson
Building a Brave Ship
The Leif Erikson was built in 1926 in a place called Korgen in Nordland, Norway. A man named Gerhard Folgerø wanted a ship that could cross the Atlantic Ocean. This ship was made from strong Norway Pine wood. It looked like a knarr, which was a type of Viking cargo ship, but with some changes. The ship was about 42 feet (12.8 meters) long and 12 feet 9 inches (3.7 meters) wide. It also had a cool dragon's head and tail, designed by an architect named Gerhard Johan Lilletvedt from Bergen.
An Epic Journey Across the Ocean
The ship was invited to Duluth, Minnesota by H. H. Borgen, who was an immigrant from Norway. In 1926, the Leif Erikson began its big adventure! It sailed from Bergen, Norway, to Iceland, then to Greenland, and on to Labrador in Canada. After that, it traveled to Boston in the United States.
The ship then went to Philadelphia. There, it was shown off at a big event called the Sesquicentennial Exposition. After the exposition, the ship sailed to New York City. From there, it traveled through the Erie Canal to reach the Great Lakes. It continued its journey across the Great Lakes to the western part of Lake Superior.
On June 23, 1927, Captain Folgerø and his crew finally arrived in Duluth. They had traveled an amazing 6,700 miles! This was the longest distance any ship of its size had sailed in modern times. It was a truly incredible feat!
Finding a Home in Duluth
Soon after its incredible voyage, a businessman from Duluth named Bert Enger bought the ship. He bought it with the wife of his business partner, Emil H. Olson. They were both Norwegian-Americans. They then gave the ship as a gift to the City of Duluth. The Leif Erikson was put on display in a place called Lake Park in Duluth. This park was later renamed Leif Erikson Park in honor of the explorer.
_docked_at_Sesqui-Centennial_Exposition_(by_Cardinell_and_Brown)_-_Philadelphia,_Pennsylvania_-_1926_(cropped_and_fixed).jpg)
Restoration and New Display
Saving the Ship: Restoration Efforts
Over many years, the Leif Erikson started to wear out. It suffered from neglect and damage from people. By 1980, it was in such bad shape that some people even thought about burning it. This was a traditional Viking way to honor a ship that was no longer usable.
However, this idea inspired Will Borg, who was Emil Olson's grandson. He gathered volunteers and started raising money to fix the ship. Through donations, special events, and festivals, the group collected $100,000.
Skilled boatbuilders began working on the restoration in 1991. When the repairs were almost finished, the ship was put back on display in Leif Erikson Park in Duluth in 2001. But sadly, more damage and wear happened. So, in 2013, the ship had to be moved again from the park using cranes and a large truck.
A New Home for the Leif Erikson
The Leif Erikson received even more restoration work from a group called Save Our Ship, Inc. (or "SOS"). At first, they hoped to bring the ship back to Leif Erikson Park in Duluth. They wanted to build a new, safe place for it there.
In June 2021, the Duluth City Council agreed to give ownership of the ship to Save Our Ship. Then, in November 2021, the Leif Erikson was moved from storage. It was taken to Knife River, Minnesota, which is about 20 miles northeast of Duluth, right on the shore of Lake Superior.
In June 2022, the SOS board decided to keep the Leif Erikson permanently in Knife River. It is now displayed in a special shelter. This shelter is managed by The Knife River Heritage and Cultural Center, ensuring the ship is protected for everyone to see.
See also
- Enger Tower
- Viking ship replica
