BATTERY PARK CITY — A 115-foot long, wooden Viking ship is on its way to New York City.
The Draken Harald Hårfagre, said to be the world's largest modern-built Viking ship will dock in Battery Park City's North Cove Marina on Sept. 17, after a months-long journey across the North Atlantic, from Norway.
The ship builders wanted to explore how Vikings managed to cross the Atlantic more than 1,000 years ago, in an open hand-carved ship.
The crew — inspired by the journey of Viking Leif Eriksson, said to be the first European to reach North America some 500 years before Columbus — sailed across the Atlantic, making stops in Canada. They've spent the past five months traveling, heading to New York via the Erie Canal.
"Through our voyage we have faced storms, heavy seas, icebergs and frigid cold waters," said the Draken's captain, Björn Ahlander. "The crew and I look forward to this historic moment when Draken docks at the North Cove Marina on the Island of Manhattan. This is not something we get to do every day."
The boat will be docked in North Cove Marina, at 250 Vesey St., from Sept. 17 through Sept. 26, with boat tours open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept 18 though Sept. 22 and Sept. 24 and 25. Adults' tickets, purchased on site, are $10, kids' tickets (17 and under) are $5.
