Viking Ship Draken Sailing To Chicago Again
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A real, but modern Viking ship that made its way to the United States from Norway is on its way again after financial troubles left it docked in Bay City, Michigan.
Sarah Blank, spokeswoman for the Draken Harald Hårfagre (Dragon Harald Fairhair) expedition, says the 114-foot long ship left its dock in Bay City on Wednesday.
Federal rules require qualified pilots to take ships through the Great Lakes but organizers of the Draken expedition didn't take that into account and had to stop the voyage until money could be raised to hire the necessary pilots, who cost $400 per hour.
Money was raised through the Sons of Norway. Couldn't the "Vikings" on the ship have done some marauding of towns and villages to raise the money like the Vikings of old?
"Maybe, but we come in peace. We're friendly Vikings," Blank said.
The Draken is still not out of financial trouble. Sons of Norway is raising money online so the ship doesn't get stuck in Chicago after being at Navy Pier for the Tall Ships festival July 27-31. SonsOfNorway.com/draken