http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/1...dium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

WIRRAL Viking enthusiasts have stolen a march on American TV over the first overseas voyage of a giant Viking ship half the size of a football pitch.

Initial hopes of a Wirral visit were dashed when the Norwegian team switched their plans for the Draken Harald the Fairhair to visit America after being offered a lucrative television deal.

Professor Steve Harding, from Wirral - a Viking expert who last year was made a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit - said in March that Wirral could not compete with the offer but was still hopeful the crew would visit Wirral on the way.

Feck em ! We have the Black Pearl

I thought we had Saxons not Vikings, as we have Saxon Road and no Viking named roads.

http://blogs.wirralnews.co.uk/wirralvikings/2010/04/welcome-to-the-wirral-vikings.html

Thingwall?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thingwall

The Thing in Thingwall, Cross Hill

During the 10th century, Wirral was a Viking mini-state with its own parliament (the Thing, or Ting). This was located on Cross Hill, across the main road from the reservoirs. Thingwall means 'assembly place'. Today, there is no indication there of its historical significance.

Zipper, the village and place names are the ones more connected to the Vikings. Many of them including Irby, Frankby, Greasby, Barnston,Bebington, Storeton, Neston, etc.etc. It's interesting to follow the history of the Vikings here.
The following link gives much more detail on place name connections.

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/-sczsteve/VIKING_WIRRAL.pdf

Having read that, I find just as interesting a possible explanation for the 14thc. poem written , Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Just seen an item in today's 'Echo' about the 'Harald Fairhair' replica longship's visit on July 18th, when it will be rowed into the West Float. Would really like to see that! There was also a mention of a Viking village being built on land at Claremont Farm in Bebington, in a link-up with Big Heritage - I think Bebington is a Saxon name, but never mind, eh! Church Farm at Thurstaston would have been a more Viking area of Wirral, with all the '...by' names, but good luck to Claremont farm; it will be interesting to see.

My mistake Greenwood. Bebington is Saxon in origin.

Here's a list of some of those places with connections to the Vikings.

When the Vikings arrived in 902AD, Wirral was empty. Looking at the place names gives us a clue to where they settled. Based upon the distribution of names, Oxford Archaeologist David Griffiths has drawn a north south line showing what he believes to be the original settlement area. This is verified by John McNeal Dodgson, a place name and linquistic expert based on manors held by Scandinavians at the time of Domesday (1086AD).


Wirral Place Names

Arrowe. A shieling or 'at the shieling'. Also Arwe and Argh. Summer pastureland away from the farmhouse.

Birkenhead. not a large settlement but a region of 'headland growing with birch trees; old english influence mixed with old norse. Probably with a few huts?

Brimstage. from Brunn.

Caldy (once Little Caldy). Cold Islands or Kald-eyjar. This meant the district of the cold islands.

Claughton. Klakkr-tun. Hamlet on a hillock. Mixture of Norse/Saxon. Klakkr - hillock and tun - town.

Crabwell, narrow field, krupp-vollr.

Denhall - early form of Daneswell. (There is a daneswell drive in Moreton). Possibly the nucleus of Danes who joined Ingimund in raids on Chester. Danes Well (spring).

Frankby. Frankisbyr or frankies or Frakki's village. From Old danish (person) and by - settlement or vilage. The use of a named village is most unusual for the area.

Gayton. Geit-tun, goat farmstead.

Greasby. Greasby Bridge, Greasby Copse, Gresby Brook. Old english 'graef' or stronghold and the danish 'by'. In Domesday Book it was known as Gravesberies.

Helsby. Village at the edge. Hjalli-byr.

Heswall. Hazel spring from the old english hoesel and hesli (norse).

Hinderton, the hinder part of the village, the back part. Hindri, old norse - at the back.

Irby. Ira-byr - the settlement of the Irish or more likely 'settlement of Scandinavians from Ireland (Irar).

Kirkby i Waleya (Wallasey Village). Kirkju-byr, village with the church.

Larton. Leir-tun, Farmstead at clayey place.

Lingham. Now part of moreton. Lyng-holmr. Heather Island on a marsh. now the region of Moreton Shore. It was here that Viking King Canute gave rise to the legend of turning back the sea.

Liscard. Hall at the rock. lios na carraige. Also Lisnakarke and Lisecair.

Meols. Great & Little. Melr = sandbanks. Sites of many archeological finds. Iceland has Melar place name of similarity. Several variations exist in the north west.

Mollington Torold. Now known as Great Mollington. An english name means Moll's Farm. The word Torold is norse, or Toraldr, or Thorot, ap erson who owned land in 1271. The land was in the possession of the Thorld family into the 14th Century. Also known as molyntom Thorot (1286).

Ness. Nes, promontory.

Neston. Farmstead at or on the promontory (nes). Accessible by sea, Vikings used the landing there. In medieval times it was the main Wirral town. Local church (St Mary & St Helen) is home to some remarkable Viking stonework.

Noctorum. Cnocc-tirm; the hill thats dry or Dry Hill.

Oxton. first element identified as Viking.

Pensby. Village at Penn Hill. Could have celtic origin meaning 'top end'

Raby. Raby Mere. Rái-byr. Village at a boundary.

Storeton. Stór-tún - the great farmstead. Storting - is norse for great assembly or Parliament. Its possible that the first part Stóró comes from a young wood, plantation, or land growing with brushwood. Dr John McNeal dodgson thinks the latter is the most likely.

Thingwall. Thingwall (ting-volr) the viking Parliament for the norse community. situated in what was the centre of the community. The Viking letter for T is used in Stephen Hardings book, which I cannot produce; its like a capital 'I' with a 'p' interwoven.

Thurstaston. Torsteinns-tún (Torsteins farmstead). The idea taht it derived from Thors Stone is incorrect. This local interpretation comes only from local folk.

Tranmere. trani-melr or Crane's Bank. Sandbank with the crane birds. a favoured spot on the early Mersey for these birds and immortalised by the Vikings. A Viking lady gave her name to Reynildes Pool, now dried up and another Gunnhildr, to Gunnille Pool. there was also a tranmere Pool. After the industrial revolution, cranes of a different type occupied Tranmere on the river bank! Famous also for its Football Team, the only English football team with a Viking name.

West Kirby. Exactly as the name suggests, the west village of the church. Vestri-Kirkjuyr. The 'west' was to distinnguish it from the 'other village with a Church' = Wallasey Village. The church in question is St Bridgets, founded by the Vikings. All that remains of the original is the hogback tombstone, which is now inside the church. Another early name was Kirkby in Wyrhale. The viking name exists today in Iceland.

Whitby. The white manor or village. Hviti-byr. There is a namesake in North Yorkshire which I visit at least once a year.

Woodchurch. Wodekirkja. Wooden Church or church in a wood.

Brilliant list! Thanks for posting.

Does anyone know where the best place to park to see the viking ship in the West Float will be? I can imagine it being packed around the site but there isn't a nearby stain station otherwise I wouldn't bother taking the car.

Birkenhead North station is pretty close

One mile according to Google maps,if you go over the Penny bridge and turn right down the dock road.

I think they will be fitting a new mast while they're at West float, which should be interesting; they've been using engine power since a mishap three days out of Haugesund. They came through the Caledonian Canal instead of going round the north of Scotland - sorry, Orkney! - and are on their way south now. Should be able to pick up their progress on the shipais.co.uk website. Not sure about the bus routes around West Float, but parking further away and going by bus might be an option. I'd like to see them row into West Float from the river, actually - daresay local press/websites will have details nearer the time.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/277020215675452/

For anyone wanting to keep track.
http://www.shipais.com/shiptrail.php?mmsi=258111550&date=20140713

I use ShipsAIS locally but find MarineTraffic has
more complete coverage for the rest of the Irish
sea. Draken Harald H is staying at Rathlin Island
Northern Ireland overnight and is showing Liverpool
as destination.

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-6.19439/centery:55.29159/zoom:8/mmsi:258111550

In Portpatrick near Stranraer today.

Thanks, I think I'll forget the car and take the train.

Draken will be approaching the mouth of the Mersey around 9.00 on Thursday morning, passing New Brighton, Seacombe and Woodside, crossing to the cruise terminal then entering Alfred Lock by 11.00, finally into West Float. I am gutted - really wanted to see her rowed into West Float, but I am stuck with an arrangement I can't break on Thursday morning. Might get down to see her pass New Brighton though.
*sigh*
Still, who could have predicted the loss of the mast and all the associated changes to the schedule?!

Currently in Peel IOM.

Please can someone put on a google? map where would be the best places to see it at it's closest and approximate times of arrival

Seems at the moment it's in the IOM, AIS is showing it here, AIS also says it's bound for Liverpool.

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-4.698178/centery:54.22455/zoom:8/mmsi:258111550

She has moved out of Peel Marina and
is moored at Peel breakwater currently
so is ready to depart for Liverpool.

I understand that the Liverpool Pilot is booked
for 07:30 - putting her in the Mersey around 09:00
as expected.

I would suggest Fort Perch Rock area as being
the best place to first view or along Egremont
or Seacombe Promenade late.

Near the Plusbox Bacon Cafe- reserved parking, the lot! lol

It's left Peel and AIS is showing it's level with Port St Mary.

Whats the ETA for Alfred Dock please,davew3?

No idea but the AIS has it about 25 kms in the Irish sea level with Castletown I.O.M going at a speed of 10.4 knots as the I.O.M is about 100 miles away then my head hurts :-) , usually when we get shipping in that is for public view most like to come in at their announced time and they anchor up for a while,but this being an open boat etc, still Wiki says 9.00 am and I will go down by the fort to watch, you never know some of the people on board could have unknown relly's on the Wirral and it would be a no no not welcoming them properly to Wirral,

01:14.

She's approaching halfway across at 10Knts
so could be early at the Bar. Could then wait
to come in at times stated..

Don't envy them one bit. Fancy rowing such a heavy vessel in that Irish Sea, in the dark, for however many hours. It seems madness to me, particularly if it's rough, (hopefully it's not)
That, in itself is a remarkable fete and I hope everyone appreciates it.

Granny, oh! dear, they are not rowing , they also have an engine, they will use that while out in the Irish sea.

Just checked she's doing 3.4 knots and is about 5 miles away from the Crosby channel, so it's looks as if it's on time.

She is basically heading towards Hoylake and is level with Crosby, but will use the Crosby channel into Liverpool port, but with a 1,8m drought, she could go where she wants.

At 09:00 she is approaching the bend where the Queens
channel becomes the Crosby channel.

Oh! dear indeed Cheats ! Now, are you going to tell me they have a roof as well ??

Now mid Crosby Channel 7.3Knts

Just passing New Brighton..

Welcomed by some Anglo Saxons ..

12:00 Now locking into Alfred Lock.

How long is it staying in Liverpool?

Its now in the Lock of Alfred Dock- staying there til 12.50-1ish until the water mark is right.

Great photo from above Fort Perch rock! I was on the beach, listening to the welcoming Viking horns, but had to leave so couldn't follow her progress upriver. Hope to visit when she's in West Float, though, once the new mast is fitted. Apparently she will be doing rowing demos there, so that should be a sight to see.

Me & vanmanone were on the beach with our dogs when this came past,didn't realise it was today.I thought it was going to be bigger than it is.

A couple from me,there off my phone,not brilliant



Quite a few people down there today

not in liverpool. by the Penny bridge.

Speaking to someone local , they said the pilot went out to meet them in a Sea cadet rib as they were worried that transferring the pilot from the pilot boat might damage the boat, that's why the rib was following at first I thought it was towing a dingy, I was down there I think you went past us Starakita with those lovely hounds.

Plusones Pics. Visited with Derek and met up with softy

A bit disappointed no rowing or sail up sailing along in it's full glory.
It will be in West Float for 3 weeks and there mabe opportunities for this to occur. Possibly to go onboard?

Love the close-up of Freyas' Talons. I certainly wasn't going to hold her- after hearing about her hunting skills. Yikes!

I understand they rowed from Duke St Bridge
up to the Penny Bridge where they have berthed.
A new mast was waiting for them there.

I was going to the tip today and thought I'd take a look. It's currently berthed at the Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club just by the roundabout leading to the tip before you get to the Penny Bridge. They are working on the new mast at the moment and you can't go on it yet but are allowed near to it but held back by barriers. The are hoping that it will be open to the public to go on after this Saturday.

I went for a look around this morning - dodging flying ants! - and she was very impressive close up.

If you want to go on board for a guided tour, you have to email the club to book - costs £5. Details are on their website. Mast is due to be fitted on 28th, and there should be some rowing on the West Float on Sunday afternoon. I don't think you can watch from within the club grounds, so other viewpoints would need to be found. Again, the club website is the place to check for updates.

Was lucky enough to go on board this afternoon; that is one tasty ship! Here's a link to some pictures.
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Greenwood/library/Draken

Thanks for posting photos ,, my two youngest grandsons going tomorrow with the deaf society ..

Some great pictures on Facebook of the quest for the new mast!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.856317387730751.1073741840.498266816869145&type=1

Update from the rowing club website:

We have been delighted to host the visit of the Draken Harald Hårfagre. It's been quite an event for the Club and all involved. Alas, the ship must now depart and arrangements for this are detailed below, though please keep logging onto our webpages for any further updates.
The Draken Harald Hårfagre longship will depart from the Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club on Lewis Quay at approx 1400 hours, Sunday 3rd August and travel down through the West and East Floats arriving at Alfred Dock at approx 1600. It will then enter the river at approx 1630 hours where, if the weather allows, Captain Bjorn Ahlander and the crew will raise the 260 square metres of India silk sail. The ship will then travel down river to the Tranmere Oil Terminal then cross over to the Liverpool side of the river and, if the weather allows, she will stop at a point that will create a photo opportunity of a life time in front of the Three Graces. There should also be a cruise liner moored at the Liverpool cruise terminal that afternoon to add to the scene.


We are hoping for great weather and suggest that the very best views can be enjoyed from the promenade areas close to the Woodside or Seacombe Ferry terminals, and then from New Brighton, to witness the departure of this remarkable longship and its crew as they depart Merseyside and start their sea voyage back home to Norway.

****************UPDATE******************
Departure postponed til tomorrow 3pm due to today's windy weather

That means I might actually get back to see her on the river under sail! They reckon she'll leave the dock system and enter the river around 5.30. That's me heading for Egremont ferry, or possibly Fort Perch Rock - fingers crossed I get there in time.

Too windy for a sailing boat for the Vikings.. I can just see Odin having a laugh.

Heigh ho... well, I saw her with a certain amount of sail up, when she came out onto the river, but it wasn't up for long. The wind was not obliging! However she left, by sail or motor, she's left some great memories on Wirral; it's been fantastic that she was here for long enough for people to see her. Cheers, Harald!

On her way back to Peel in the IOM, AIS reports her as not to far away from the OSI rig.