The old building is not suitable for preserving the ships, and if the ships are to survive for future generations, they must be relocated.
Skilled professionals from the museum, Statsbygg, and Imenco have been working to prepare the Viking ships for the move. In September, the successful relocation of the Oseberg Ship took place; today, it is the Gokstad Ship's turn.
Tension and excitement
There is tension surrounding the relocation of the Gokstad Ship for several reasons. Firstly, the Gokstad Ship was handled more roughly during its excavation than the Oseberg Ship, which was excavated about 20 years later. Secondly, this is the first time the Viking ship is being relocated in one piece. When it was last moved nearly a hundred years ago, it was transported in two parts. Thirdly, the Gokstad Ship is about one ton heavier than the Oseberg Ship and rests on fewer supports. Lastly, the stem at the front is fragile and has therefore been reinforced with an additional cover.
“Even though there is tension surrounding the move of the Gokstad Ship, there are skilled professionals working on this. We are confident that today's relocation will be as successful as the Oseberg Ship relocation, says museum director Aud V. Tønnessen.
Updates Throughout the Day
10:11 PM: The Gokstad Ship is safely placed on the ship base.
9:10 PM: The Viking ship is lowered down on to the ship base.
7:10 PM: The Gokstad Ship is hanging over the ship base, final finishes before being lowered down.
5:20 PM: The Viking ship is moving closer to the edge where it will be lowered to the floor below.
4:25 PM: The Gokstad Ship is moving closer to the Gokstad Hall in the new museum building.
2:45 PM: The Gokstad Ship has now left the old museum building, where it has stood for nearly a hundred years.
2:20 PM: The Viking ship is entering the location that is planned to be the museum café.
1:20 PM: The Gokstad Ship is slowly entering the new museum building.
12:20 PM: The relocation of the Gokstad ship has started as planned.
11:10 AM: Final preparations are being made, and it is scheduled for the move to start at 12:00 PM.