FACT SHEET - ABOUT THE “LILLE DRAKEN”

• Designed & built by bespoke furniture maker David Jones, construction began April 04.
  
  
• A replica Viking boat, whose styling was inspired by an actual Viking longboat in Oslo – The Gokstad , with frames and detailing based on some of the smaller faering (scouting) vessels found on board.

• 21’ long x 5’ beam x 18” deep & designed for a crew of 5 – 3 rowing, 1 steering, 1 passenger.
  
  
• Named “Lille Draken” – Norse for Little Dragon - after the carved figurehead which was designed by David Jones son Ben.
  
  
• A white linen, square sail featuring a red Celtic Cross, flies from the 12’ mast.
  
  
• Predominantly traditional materials used:

o Wrought iron keel band – skirting from top to tail, made from recycled 19^th century girders & beaten by giant steam hammers. The keel band was a distinctive feature of Viking scouting craft, designed to enable the boats to be trailed overland from river to river.

o Timber – 20 cedar planks plus English oak (keel), Green oak (frames/thole pins), Douglas Fir (mast/spar), Sweet Chestnut (stern/posts)

o Sealants – the Vikings would have used moss & tar but David used Sikaflex rubber adhesive sponsored by Sika UK Limited

· Traditional techniques used – including:

o Treenailing – using square pegs in round holes (hence the expression!)

o Frame lashing – everything below water is lashed to cleats on the frame, kept free to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood in the water.

o Steam bending of timber – but, with an unusual modern twist, David used a wallpaper steamer & a length of plastic drainpipe!

• The boat will compete in the Trafalgar Great River Race (17 Sept) and appear at the Traditional Boat Show (17-19 July) & St John the Baptist Fair (25^th June, Isleworth).

ABOUT DAVID JONES

• A bespoke furniture maker, with more than 22 years experience, David Jones’ clients include embassies, Viscount Linley and Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen. Further information about the diverse work of his company - David Jones Furniture Makers can be found at www.davidjones.uk.com

• Married to Kathy and a father of 4.
  
  
• Jones’ completed ‘Yolanda’, a Thames whiff gig & his first boat building project, in Sept 01. Prior to this he had never rowed a boat properly and had only sailed once before!

• A visit to a Viking museum whilst on a school trip to Scandinavia, age 12, left a lasting impression on Jones and inspired him to design and build Lille Draken.