Will the Vikings save us from the coming zombie apocalypse?

I like ships of all kinds – airships, steamships, cruise ships, you name it – so I read Wooden Boat magazine, among others.

So it was with interest that I noticed that in the current issue – July/August 2011 – the “Around the Yards” section, which is about wooden boats under construction or restoration, mentions mostly Viking longships. Does this mean something?

• In Tonsberg, Norway, a re-creation of the Oseburg Ship. The original was buried for over a thousand years.
• Staying in Norway: Over in Haugesund, Dragon Harald Fairhair, the largest modern Viking longship in the modern era, is under construction.
• Meanwhile, in Anacortes, Washington, F. Jay Smith at Aspoya Boats is building a 56′ Norse ship, a replica and expansion of the Danish Skuldelev 6. This will be used for educational purposes.
• In Waterford, Ireland, the Waterford Museum of Treasures has commissioned a Viking longship of their own. This one is another Skuldelev 6 replica. Once the hull is completed, the remaining work will be performed in public view under a shelter at the ruined medieval Greyfriars church, all in time for this year’s Tall Ships Race, (which I see, just ended).
• For something a bit more modern, we take you to San Diego, where the San Diego Maritime Museum is building a replica of explorer Juan Cabrillo’s flagship the San Salvador. This is expected to launch in 2013. You can visit the construction site starting this month.
• And also in San Diego, this reporter was recently photographed at the wheel of the HMS Surprise. Despite no experience conning anything larger than a kayak, there were no injuries and damage was minimal.