Fig. 929.—Iron chain, with crook to hold bronze kettle; found with Gokstad ship. ⅒ real size.
After the ship had been launched into the sea the equipment was put on board.
Fig. 930.—On a stone-wall of the Church of Bödstrup, Island of Langeland, Denmark.
“After Easter King Olaf had his ships launched and equipment and oars carried to them, and decks placed in them, and tents put over them, and then let them float at the bridges” (St. Olaf, c. 115).
Fig. 931.—Iron kettle. ¼ real size—Ultuna ship find.
“Asbjörn owned a longship which was a twenty-seated snekkja, which stood in a large naust (ship-shed). After Candlemas he had it pushed forward, the equipments carried on board, and everything made ready. He then summoned his friends, and had nearly ninety men, all well armed” (St. Olaf, c. 24).
It was not always the custom to have cooks on board ship, it being the habit of traders to dispense with their services, and to draw lots among the crew every day to decide who should prepare the food.