Port, starboard and a Viking burial ship with Tom Cunliffe 

Really pleased you enjoyed it as much as I did Andrew. Tom

Thanks Olav. I'm pleased you feel like that too. Tom

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Thanks Tom. I do feel that way Tom. They and all our elders were solving the same problems we are trying to solve today. They had different solutions based on the materials and technologies they had available. But I'm absolutely convinced they had a deep knowledge of the issues of strength, weight, safety and performance and we could all have a lively knowledgeable conversation if time travel could happen. ") Your comment reflected that respect. Good on you for your own quiet yet excited and passionate videos. O.

Showing your age their shipmate

@@jonathangriffiths2499 Ha ha, yes, we're in a select minority nowadays. Luckily a few of Jack's videos survive on RU-vid for everyone to enjoy, no matter what age they are.

Thanks Ant, Cid and the pooch crew. How wonderful to be in Syracuse soaking up all the past. Wish I were there too. Tom

Hi. I've never heard of that longship, but I'd certainly like to know more about her. Did they write a book? Tom

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns There is a book! It's called "A Dream Is A Dream" viking ship book.... I was able to find it online for about ten dollars American... There is also lots of good info about Her on Wikipedia as well!

@@outcastcwd Many thanks. It sounds like a must for my library. Tom

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns You are very welcome Sir!

@@charonstyxferryman Yep! 😁👍

Thanks to you for watching. Tom

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Tom, the word 'larboard' was nagging at me and I finally gave up and looked at Google and it seems there's a tangle or two in the history of how 'larboard' became 'port'. I've conflated a few of the bits and pieces I turned up and offer them below: The opposite of starboard is larboard, which derives from Middle English (Norse) laddebord. Most sources derive it from laden, meaning to load; the left-hand side being the side put to the dock for loading cargo. In an added wrinkle an Anglo-Saxon record of a voyage by Ohthere of Hålogaland used the word "bæcbord" ("back-board") for the left side of a ship. With the steering rudder on the starboard side the man on the rudder had his back to the bagbord (Nordic for portside) side of the ship. The words for "port side" in other European languages, such as German Backbord, Dutch and Afrikaans bakboord, Spanish babor, and French bâbord, are derived from the same root. Backbord was certainly eased out and supplanted larboard in the 16th century (by association with starboard), at the same time however the Oxford English Dictionary cites 'port' in this usage since 1543. The problem with these two words was that starboard and larboard were easily confused. It would not do for a shouted command to be misinterpreted, so a different word was required and In 1844 the Royal Navy ordered that 'port' be used instead. The United States Navy followed suit in 1846. Larboard continued to be used well into the 1850s by whalers. Although both terms existed together, is seems that 'port' had become associated with the helm (ie. sailing direction), while 'larboard' was used to refer to the left side of the vessel, until the RN decided to simplify things... No idea how likely any of this is but it does add a little to the glorious history of sailing, and I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter! Dan

Glad you enjoyed it George. Thanks for watching. Tom

Indeed it is English Sailor. Like it. Tom

Hi Salty. I believe the term larboard was used up until the mid 19th century by the Navy. I'm not sure where the derivation is from - perhaps from load? ie the loading side of the ship. The terms larboard and starboard were too similar so a change was necessary and port it was. Tom

Dear Tom, I will do some research and let you know if I find something, Regards, Buster.

Many thanks Ian for listening. Tom

'Morning David from Ladby Denmark. My wife Roz hails from just down the road from you - a Clevedon girl.

Thanks Roger for that information. Very interesting and I'm sure you're right. Tom

Glad it made some sense. Tom

I believe the term larboard was used up until the mid 19th century by the Navy. I'm not sure where the derivation is from - perhaps from load? ie the loading side of the ship. The terms larboard and starboard were too similar so a change was necessary. I think maybe I am descended from the Vikings - Harold Hairy Breeks, perhaps? Tom

Yes good point. These boats sailed pretty flat, So I don't think this would have been an issue very often. They were also highly directionally stable by virtue of their shape, long, thin and slippery. Tom