Karve (ship)
The karve or karvi was a small type of longship with broad hull, somewhat similar to the ocean-going knarr cargo ships. Karves were used for both war and ordinary transport, carrying people, goods or livestock. Because they were able to navigate in very shallow water, they were also used for coasting.
The Gokstad ship is a famous karve ship, built around the end of the 9th century, excavated in 1880 by Nicolay Nicolaysen. It was approximately long with 16 rowing positions.
Etymology
has been compared to Middle Latin carabus, from, "a type of light ship", of unknown etymology. Compare with caravel. Another theory connects the word with the Germanic stem of "carve".Other potentially related words include:, stemming from a Proto-Finnic form, probably borrowed from Proto-Norse;, корабь, used specifically about the Varangian ships during the Viking Age.
Description
Karves had broad beams of approximately, were up to in length, and allowed for up to 16 oars.The karve has been described as the smallest vessel that is considered a longship. According to the 10-century Gulating Law, a ship with 13 rowing benches is the smallest ship suitable for military use. A ship with 6 to 16 benches would be classified as a karve. These ships were considered to be "general purpose" ships, mainly used for fishing and trade, but occasionally commissioned for military use. While most longships held a length to width ratio of 7:1, the karve ships were closer to 9:2.