The drekar, or dragon-headed longships, were stealthy troop-carriers. They could cross the open oceans under sail and then switch to oars for lightning-fast hit-and-run attacks on undefended towns ...

The main characteristic of Viking longships was that they were long and narrow. Exactly how long depended on the number of rowing benches as indicated by holes on each side that allowed for oars ...

The most striking discovery was the biggest longship yet found, 119 feet long, with room for at least 72 oars and a crew of 100. With its draft of only about three feet and a huge, 2,175-square ...