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(Above) Draken Harald Hårfagre approaches Mystic Seaport on Sunday. Photo by Joe Michael. (Click on images to view larger versions.) Viking ship that reached Chicago now in Connecticut for winter3-Oct-16 – The Viking ship that traveled to Chicago this year from Norway has made it safely to Mystic, Connecticut, where it will spend the winter. “It has been a tremendous adventure,” said Bjőrn Ahlander, captain of the Draken Harald Hårfagre. “A challenge extraordinaire, to explore the world with the largest Viking ship built and sailed in modern times. I’m proud of our crew and all the challenges we have overcome to reach the final stop on this journey.” After leaving the Great Lakes on August 29, the ship traveled east on the Erie Canal, then south on the Hudson River to New York City. The Draken arrived in Mystic Seaport, the largest maritime museum in the United States, on Sunday afternoon.
According to the expedition, the Draken “will stay at Mystic Seaport for the winter, but the crew will cover the boat in November and she will not be open to the public. There are not yet any plans for next year.” The most challenging part of the journey was sailing through the cold, dangerous waters of the North Atlantic – until they arrived in the United States. Miscommunication regarding pilotage fees forced the Draken crew to end the expedition early, missing a planned stop in Duluth, Minnesota, where one of every six residents is Norwegian.
(Above) Mystic, Connecticut, relative to New York. Mystic is labeled in red in upper right corner and New York City is in lower left corner.
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