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79-703: The turnpike began at the western end of the West Boston Bridge in Cambridgeport (now Kendall Square ). From there it proceeded along today's Broadway to Mechanics Square, where it intersected with the Middlesex Turnpike (now Hampshire Street), then continued to the Cambridge Common , skirting Harvard College by 90 feet (27 m) as required by law, and from there proceeded northwest past Fresh Pond to Belmont Center , and then onwards to Lincoln by

158-674: A purported voyage by Leif Eriksson up the Charles River circa 1000 AD, promoted at the time by Harvard professor Eben Horsford . The piers are also decorated with the city seals of Boston and Cambridge. The Longfellow Bridge provides a panoramic view of the Boston skyline. In commenting on riding the Red Line over the bridge, the Boston Globe praised its "view of Boston’s beauty in a single, satisfying gulp". The first river crossing at this site

237-646: A French historian, a monk at the St. Omer monastery in Flanders, provides a detailed description of Viking ships, focusing on their elaborate decoration and organization. The account mentions that the Viking chieftains' ships were distinguished by unique designs on the bow, including gold lion figures, wind-vanes with birds, and animal carvings of drakes, bulls, and dolphins in bronze or precious metals. The ships' sides were painted in vibrant colors and adorned with wood carvings, particularly

316-618: A bridge without a draw would be cheaper, better-looking, and avoid disruption to traffic. The state altered its regulations accordingly, and after the War Department declined to follow suit, the United States Congress drew up an act permitting the bridge, which President William McKinley signed on March 29, 1900. Construction began in July 1900; the bridge opened to traffic in August 1906, and

395-621: A broad hull somewhat similar to the knarr. They were used for both war and ordinary transport, carrying people, cargo or livestock. Because they were able to navigate in very shallow water, they were also used for coasting. Karves typically had broad beams of approximately 17 feet (5.2 m). Viking ships varied from other contemporary ships, being generally more seaworthy and lighter. This was achieved through use of clinker ( lapstrake ) construction. The planks on Viking vessels were rived (split) from large, old-growth trees—especially oak. A ship's hull could be as thin as one inch (2.5 cm), as

474-540: A means to intimidate enemies and protect the sailors during their journeys. These carvings were not merely decorative but symbolized the Vikings' reverence for nature and their societal beliefs. The quality and intricate design of the ship indicated the resources invested by its owner. Many Viking lords and nobles used large, elaborately carved ships to showcase their social status. Thus, ships were not only tools for war and exploration but also symbols of family identity. Possessing

553-416: A navigational tool that can only determine direction in such limited conditions. Viking sagas routinely tell of voyages where Vikings suffered from being "hafvilla" (bewildered)—voyages beset by fog or bad weather, where they completely lost their sense of direction. This description suggests they did not use a sunstone when the sun was obscured. Moreover, the fact that this same bewilderment could arise when

632-536: A platter of significant value of possessions, that followed individuals of high esteem into the after life as a guide . In addition, they also served as a reservation for those in high authority in both life and in death. The ownership of a ship during the Viking Age carried along with it social implications by effectively reinforcing class distinctions and a hierarchy within the Viking society . A well-decorated and elaborated ship represented great wealth and influence due to

711-530: A powerful naval force at his disposal. While longships were deployed by the Norse in warfare, there are no descriptions of naval tactics such as ramming, etc. Instead, the ships would sometimes be lashed together in battle to form a steady platform for infantry warfare. Longships were called dragonships ( drakuskippan ) by the Franks because they had a dragon-shaped prow . The Karve was a small type of Viking longship, with

790-466: A ribbon-animal, gripping-beasts rendered with humanoid heads, and more ambiguous forms that echo the bodies of creatures seen at the prow. Such style is called the Oseberg Style, which is the first phase of the development of the Viking aesthetic, lasting from the year 775 to the year 850. It is famous for its intertwining zoomorphic patterns of "Gripping Beasts" and "Ribbon-Animals". This citation from

869-400: A rived plank is stronger than a sawed plank found in later craft, resulting in a strong yet supple hull. Working up from a stout oaken keel and ribs, the shipwrights would rivet on the planks using wrought iron rivets and roves, reinforced with added support ribs and thwarts. Each tier of planks overlapped the one below, and a caulking of tarred cow's hair was used between planks to create

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948-912: A rule, ship lanes in Scandinavia followed coastal waters, hence a majority of vessels were of a lighter design, while a few types, such as the knarr , could navigate the open ocean. The Viking ships ranged from the Baltic Sea to far from the Scandinavian homelands, to Iceland , the Faroe Islands , Greenland , Newfoundland , the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and Africa. The ship's shallow draft allowed navigation in waters only one meter deep and permitted beach landings, while its light weight enabled it to be carried over portages . The ship has been functioning as

1027-553: A single lane outbound (towards Cambridge). The Longfellow Bridge is considered to be the most important historic bridge in the City of Boston due to its prominent location over the Charles River and outstanding visual and architectural quality. The primary aim of the rehabilitation project was to address the bridge's structural deficiencies, upgrade its capacity and bring it up to date with modern codes while also preserving its visual and historic architectural character. A significant portion of

1106-483: A thorough inspection of notable bridges in France, Germany, Austria and Russia. Upon their return, they prepared studies of various types of bridges, including bridges of stone and steel arch spans. Wheelwright had been inspired by the 1893 Columbian Exposition and was attempting to emulate the great bridges of Europe . Although both state and national regulations at the time required a draw bridge , it became evident that

1185-497: A waterproof hull. Remarkably large vessels could be constructed using traditional clinker construction. Dragon-ships carrying 100 warriors were not uncommon. Furthermore, during the early Viking Age, oar ports replaced rowlocks, allowing oars to be stored while the ship was at sail and to provide better angles for rowing. The largest ships of the era could travel five to six knots using oar power and up to ten knots under sail. Viking ships were manufactured with techniques that ensured

1264-598: A well-carved ship symbolized a family's wealth and influence, highlighting their place in Viking society. The craftsmanship of Viking ships was undoubtedly top-notch for its time. Constructing such a ship required highly skilled artisans and a significant amount of time, with materials and decorative elements often being costly. Therefore, these ships symbolized a family's honor and prosperity. Viking ships were not only works of art but also ways for people to display social status, particularly through their exquisite dragon head carvings and intricate geometric patterns, which reflected

1343-456: Is a combination railway and highway bridge. It is 105 feet (32 m) wide, 1,767 feet 6 inches (538.73 m) long between abutments, and nearly one-half mile in length, including abutments and approaches. It consists of eleven steel arch spans supported on ten masonry piers and two massive abutments. The arches vary in length from 101 feet 6 inches (30.94 m) at the abutments to 188 feet 6 inches (57.45 m) at

1422-417: Is a plausible method for determining direction. By showing which direction light waves are oscillating, the sunstone has the potential to show the sun's position even when the sun is obscured by clouds. The stone changes to a certain color, based on the direction of the waves, but only when the object is held in an area with direct sunlight. Thus, most scholars debate the reliability and the plausibility of using

1501-501: Is by the number of rowing positions on board. Types ranged from the Karvi, with 13 rowing benches, to the Busse, one of which has been found with an estimated 34 rowing positions. Longships were the epitome of Scandinavian naval power at the time and were highly valued possessions. They were owned by coastal farmers and assembled by the king to form the leidang in times of conflict, in order to have

1580-492: Is impossible to know; but it is much more difficult to imagine that a king's body and accompanying treasures would have been simply pushed out to sea, where they would have been in danger of returning, or of falling into the hands of strangers or even enemies who might maltreat the one and plunder the other. Burial of ships is an ancient tradition in Scandinavia, stretching back to at least the Nordic Iron Age , as evidenced by

1659-457: Is only inferred from historical sources. Viking ships were used both for military purposes and for long-distance trade, exploration and colonization . In the literature, Viking ships are usually seen divided into two broad categories: merchant ships and warships, the latter resembling narrow "war canoes" with less load capacity, but higher speed. However, these categories are overlapping; some transport ships would also form part of war fleets. As

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1738-496: Is shorter than the Gokstad type of longships, but knarrs are sturdier by design and they depended mostly on sail-power, only putting oars to use as auxiliaries if there was no wind on the open water. Because of this, the knarr was used for longer voyages, ocean-going transports and more hazardous trips than the Gokstad type. It was capable of sailing 75 miles (121 km) in one day, and held a crew of about 20–30. Knarrs routinely crossed

1817-417: Is waterproofed . Additionally, shields were often mounted on both sides of the ship for protection as well as portrayal of the idea of strength and power. This method significantly proved to be suitable for Viking ships as it ensured its speed which was ideal for both long journeys and raids. In addition to this, ships were strengthened with a combination of one floor timbers and crossbeams, therefore enabling

1896-715: The Hjortspring boat (400–300 BC) or the Nydam boats (200–450 AD), for example. Ships and bodies of water have held major spiritual importance in the Norse cultures since at least the Nordic Bronze Age . Several original Viking ships have been found through the ages, but only a few have been relatively intact. The most notable of these few ships include: Examples of other Viking ships, including some that are relatively well-preserved and some, where only very small parts remain: Have been regarded as Viking ships, but from before or after

1975-575: The Kendall Square area of Cambridge , Massachusetts . The bridge carries Massachusetts Route 3 , the MBTA Red Line , bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. The structure was originally known as the Cambridge Bridge , and a predecessor structure was known as the West Boston Bridge ; Boston also continued to use "West Boston Bridge" officially for the new bridge. The bridge is also known to locals as

2054-649: The North Atlantic in the Viking Age, carrying livestock and goods to and from Greenland and the North Atlantic islands. The design of the knarr later influenced the design of the cog , used in the Baltic Sea by the Hanseatic League . Examples of Viking Age knarr are Skuldelev 1 , which was excavated in Denmark in 1962 and is believed to be from about 1030 AD, and the Äskekärr ship  [ sv ] , which

2133-542: The Red Line subway was limited to 10 miles per hour (16 km/h), and Fourth-of-July fireworks-watchers were banned from the bridge because of concerns that the bridge might collapse under the weight and vibration of heavy use. The speed restriction was lifted in August 2008, and the lane and sidewalk were reopened later on. On August 4, 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a $ 3 billion Massachusetts bridge repair funding package he had sponsored. The funds raised from

2212-562: The " Salt-and-Pepper Bridge " due to the shape of its central towers. The bridge falls under the jurisdiction and oversight of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The bridge carries approximately 28,600 cars and 90,000 mass-transit passengers every weekday. A portion of the MBTA subway 's elevated Charles/MGH station lies at the eastern end of the bridge, which connects to Charles Circle . Longfellow Bridge

2291-477: The 1930s, when the south track was removed. The Longfellow Bridge, like many bridges in the Commonwealth, deteriorated into a state of disrepair. Between 1907 and 2011, the only major maintenance conducted on the bridge had been a small 1959 rehabilitation project and some lesser repairs done in 2002. In mid-2008, two state employees stole 2,347 feet (715 m) of decorative iron trim that had been removed from

2370-541: The Cambridge side they still do. On the Boston side, the construction of Storrow Drive in 1950-51 moved the shoreline, so that the stairs now lead to isolated parcels of land cut off from the river by Storrow Drive. There is no way to exit the upstream parcel, due to an off-ramp; the downstream one includes a crosswalk past another off-ramp. To reach the Charles River Esplanade , pedestrians must now proceed along

2449-468: The Middle Ages. The boat-types were quite varied, depending on what the ship was intended for, but they were generally characterized as being slender and flexible boats, with symmetrical ends with true keel . They were clinker built, which is the overlapping of planks riveted together. Some might have had a dragon 's head or other circular object protruding from the bow and stern for design, although this

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2528-529: The North Sea and the Baltic Sea for survival and growth. Control of the waterways was of great economical and political importance, and consequently, ships were in high demand. Because of their overwhelming importance, ships became a mainstay of the Viking religion, as they evolved into symbols of power and prowess. The Hedeby coins, among the earliest known Danish currency, have impressions of ships as emblems, showing

2607-546: The Vikings needed to develop methods of relatively precise navigation. Most commonly, a ship's pilot drew on traditional knowledge to set the ship's course. Essentially, the Vikings simply used prior familiarity with tides, sailing times, and landmarks in order to route courses. For example, scholars contend that the sighting of a whale allowed the Vikings to determine the direction of a ship. Because whales feed in highly nutritious waters, commonly found in regions where landmasses have pushed deep-water currents towards shallower areas,

2686-418: The Vikings' appreciation of order, cycles, and vitality, making the ships more than just vehicles; they were spiritual symbols as well. Viking ships held significant roles in religious rituals, especially in Viking ship burial ceremonies. Vikings believed that death was not the end but a journey to another world. As a vessel that could cross boundaries, the ship became a symbol of this "journey," particularly in

2765-462: The approaches to bring them up to ADA compliance . In March 2011, crews began structural inspections for Phase II and cleaning of the stone masonry piers. MassDOT announced in May 2011 that work would begin on stripping and cleaning rust from steel arch ribbons that had not been painted since 1953. Crews were to apply paint primer to the arch ribbons and evaluate them for future major rehabilitation. All work

2844-406: The bow, stern, and other wooden structures. These carvings were not only decorative but also embodied the Vikings' cultural and religious beliefs. Common Viking ship carving patterns and themes include animal motifs, geometric designs, mythological scenes, and inscriptions. Many Viking ships had intricately carved dragon heads or other mythical creatures on the bow and stern. These carvings served as

2923-494: The bridge for refurbishment, and sold it for scrap . The men, one of whom was a Department of Conservation and Recreation district manager, were charged with receiving $ 12,147 for the historic original parapet coping. The estimated cost to remake the pieces, scheduled for replication by 2012, was over $ 500,000. The men were later convicted in September 2009. In mid-2008, the western sidewalk and inner traffic lane were both closed,

3002-574: The bridge reservation connecting the Cambridge tunnel with the Beacon Hill tunnel. Streetcar traffic over the bridge was greatly reduced by the subway line; on December 14, 1925, the final streetcar route over the bridge was replaced by a Kendall Square–Bowdoin Square bus route. Charles station opened at the Boston end of the bridge on February 27, 1932, serving the West End and Massachusetts General Hospital ;

3081-503: The burial-place in a wagon drawn by horses. The deceased would be placed on the ship, along with many prized possessions. Horses, dogs and occasionally thralls and households might also be sacrificially killed and buried with the deceased. The origin and meaning of these customs remain unknown. Several examples of Viking ship burials have been excavated, e.g. the Oseberg ship in Norway, containing

3160-482: The burials of prominent individuals. Ships were used as grave goods to help the deceased "sail" to the afterlife. Large burial ships like the Oseberg Ship provide crucial evidence of Viking burial practices. In the Viking culture, the sizes of their ships were used as indicators of power and status. In further explanation, during the viking age, the sheer size of the ship, the details and materials used in manufacturing

3239-644: The bus route was discontinued. From 1924 to 1952, non-revenue trains from the East Boston Tunnel ran on the streetcar tracks over the bridge, switching onto the Cambridge–Dorchester line tracks near the Cambridge end. These moves, usually performed late at night, allow trains to reach the Eliot Shops , as the East Boston Tunnel had no heavy maintenance facility. Both streetcar tracks were used until

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3318-439: The center, and in rise from 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) to 26 feet 6 inches (8.08 m). Headroom under the central arch is 26 feet (7.9 m) at mean high water. The two large central piers, 188 feet (57 m) long and 53 feet 6 inches (16.31 m) wide, feature four carved, ornamental stone towers. The towers are ornamented with the prows of Viking ships , carved in granite. They refer to

3397-418: The centerpiece of Scandinavian culture for millennia, serving both pragmatic and religious purposes, and its importance was already deeply rooted in the Scandinavian culture when the Viking Age began. Scandinavia is a region with relatively high inland mountain ranges, dense forests and easy access to the sea with many natural ports. Consequently, trade routes were primarily operated via shipping, as inland travel

3476-409: The disc are disproportionately spaced, and so the object could not in fact function as an accurate compass. Rather it has been suggested that the instrument is instead a "confession disc" used by priests to count the number of confessions in their parish. Similarly, researchers and historians continually debate the use of the sunstone in Viking navigation. Because a sunstone is able to polarize light, it

3555-420: The durability and agility of the ships especially in regards to ships used in warfare.For instance, warships like the ‘Skeid’ and the ‘Snekka’ with features of shallow drafts that enabled them to efficiently approach shores and sail up rivers Viking builders used the ‘clinker-built’ method whereby oak or pine plants are overlapped and fastened with iron rivets and sealed with tar and wool in order to ensure that it

3634-531: The fall of 2018. According to Jonathan L. Gulliver, MassDOT Highway Administrator, the total cost of the rebuilding project was $ 306.6 million. After a settlement with its contractors, the state paid $ 305.5 million on a budgeted cost of $ 303.7 million, which had included cost overruns. Viking ship Viking ships were marine vessels of unique structure, used in Scandinavia from the Viking Age throughout

3713-430: The high level of craftsmanship and artistic value. In some archaeological discoveries, experts found that the hulls of ships were adorned with rich patterns, such as intertwining vines, geometric shapes, or animal totems. These patterns are filled with symbolic meanings, many of which can be traced back to Viking mythology and belief systems. The famous Oseberg Ship, for example, has an interlocking animal motif on its bow:

3792-495: The hull and other wooden parts of the ship. These patterns are not only beautiful but also contain religious and cosmic symbolism. For example, the interlocking designs symbolize ideas of life cycles and rebirth, resonating with the Norse mythological concept of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. In Viking mythology, Yggdrasil is a giant ash tree representing the center of the universe, connecting the heavens, earth, and underworld. It embodies

3871-509: The importance of naval vessels in the area. Through such cultural and practical significance, the Viking ship progressed into the most powerful, advanced naval vessel in Viking Age Europe. Knarr is the Norse term for ships that were built for cargo transport. A length of about 54 feet (16 m) and a beam of 15 feet (4.6 m) are not untypical, and the hull could be capable of carrying up to 24 tons. Overall displacement: 50 tons. This

3950-498: The interweaving of all life and events. Vikings believed that by carving these patterns on ships, sailors could gain the tree's protective power. Furthermore, the designs on Viking ships were often symmetrical geometric shapes or repeated curves, which were not only visually appealing but also reflected the Vikings' profound understanding of nature. These decorative styles are common in Viking art, often referred to as "Viking Animal Style" or "Viking Geometric Style." This style indicates

4029-469: The king's vessel, which was the most intricately decorated. This passage serves as valuable evidence of the Vikings' investment in ship artistry as a reflection of power, wealth, and rank. The choice of metal animal motifs and the intricate designs on prominent vessels reveal how these ships were not only functional but also designed to display status and intimidate. Viking ship carvings are renowned for their smooth, intricate swirling patterns, often found on

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4108-462: The other continues into Concord as Cambridge Turnpike. The Cambridge and Concord Turnpike Corporation was established on March 7-8, 1803, by act of the Massachusetts legislature. In 1805-06 most of the turnpike was constructed in very nearly a straight line from Cambridge to Concord Center, despite the needless difficulties this entailed with steep hills along the selected path. (After construction,

4187-405: The outbound side of the bridge was completely closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and cyclists, in order to complete work sooner. This measure was undertaken to allow the bridge to be fully reopened by June 2018. After years of delays, the bridge was fully reopened on May 31, 2018, but portions of the project, such as replacing the pedestrian footbridge over Storrow Drive, were completed by

4266-539: The overhaul was transferred from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to the new Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) on November 1, 2009, along with other DCR bridges. The condition of the bridge was determined to be so bad that the state could not wait for development of a full restoration plan. A $ 17 million contract was signed with SPS New England Inc for interim repairs. Crews began work in August 2010 that involved improving sidewalks on

4345-471: The permanent railbed at the midline of the span to be rebuilt. The design/build phase of the bridge was assigned to the joint venture team of contractors White-Skanska-Conslgli under supervision by MassDOT. Preliminary design engineering was performed by Jacobs Engineering . STV, Inc. was the final design engineer and engineer of record. The design provided for widened sidewalks and bike lanes, with two motor vehicle lanes inbound (towards Boston), but only

4424-463: The range of 5 to 10 knots (9 to 19 km/h), and the maximum speed of a longship under favorable conditions was around 15 knots (28 km/h). The long-ship is as a graceful, long, narrow, light, wooden boat with a shallow draft hull designed for speed. The ship's shallow draft allowed navigation in waters only one meter deep and permitted beach landings, while its light weight enabled it to be carried over portages . Longships were also double-ended,

4503-553: The reason that only Vikings who were associated with power could access such expensive and delicate materials in the building of such a ship. Viking ships held a very spiritual significance in the Viking society. As a reflection of the Oseberg ship burial, speculations portray how Viking ships were also used as company for the dead in their journey in the afterlife. In the Viking culture, the dead particularly warriors, were placed in their ships which would be set on fire and sent out to sea by

4582-715: The remains of two women, the Gokstad ship in Norway, and the Ladby ship in Denmark. There are literary sources such as the Norse Skjoldunga Saga and the Ynglinga Saga which describe more literal "ship burials" in which the deceased and goods are placed on a boat in the water and the vessel is launched into the sea, sometimes being shot with burning arrows and vanishing into the night, ablaze. Nothcotte Toller, however, states: Whether such fiery funerals ever actually took place

4661-448: The restoration work lay with dismantling, cleaning, restoring, and re-erecting the 58-foot-tall towers that frame the river's navigation channel, which had settled over time. The Longfellow Bridge Restoration and Rehabilitation project was scheduled for completion in 2016, but the completion date was extended to December 2018, due in part to historic restoration requiring obsolete construction techniques such as riveting . In August 2016,

4740-492: The route now known as Concord Avenue. ((Today's sharp turn after crossing Pleasant Street in Belmont Center was a revision to the original turnpike, as its original path directly up the hill ahead proved too difficult for transportation. The earlier route still exists as Centre Ave.) The turnpike continued through Lincoln in a direct line to Concord Center. Today one section forms part of Route 2 (from Route 128 to Bypass Road);

4819-640: The route was somewhat modified to improve its practicality.) Much of the road opened for business in February 1807, though the eastern segment within Cambridge was not completed until circa 1812. Two tollgates were erected on the turnpike: one about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) west of Fresh Pond , and the other in Lincoln . No gates were erected within Cambridge, as a result of a lawsuit . The road's width varied from 50 feet (15 m) over much of its route to as much as 100 feet (30 m) at today's Broadway. The turnpike

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4898-511: The sale of bonds were used to pay for the rehabilitation of the Longfellow Bridge, the preliminary cost estimated at $ 267.5 million. If bridge maintenance had instead been performed regularly, the total estimated historical cost would have been about $ 81 million. Design began in Spring 2005; construction was expected to begin in Spring 2012 and end in Spring 2016. Ownership and management of

4977-521: The ship of a viking, publicly portrayed the wealth and power which the owner holds. For instance, extravagant ships like the Longships used by the Viking Chieftans and warriors significantly emphasized on their authority and prestige . Furthermore, in correlation to ship burials like the Oseberg and Gokstad, they highlight how these elaborate and detailed burials pinpoint the fact that ships were placed on

5056-451: The ships to gain structural strength . The keelson approach whereby a heavy timber is placed on the keel in order to stabilize the mast, supported both the longships and narrow ships with shallow drafts . This proved to be significantly ideal for navigating diverse waterways. With such technological improvements, the Vikings began to make more and more ocean voyages, as their ships were more seaworthy. However, in order to sail in ocean waters,

5135-585: The sidewalk to the end of the bridge, and use the Frances Appleton Bridge , a wheelchair-accessible pedestrian bridge , at Charles Circle slightly south of the Longfellow Bridge. The new bridge was built with streetcar tracks plus an initially unused center reservation. On March 23, 1912, the Cambridge–Dorchester line (now the Red Line) opened from Harvard Square to Park Street , with tracks on

5214-409: The sighting of a whale functioned as a signal that land was near. On the other hand, some academics have proposed that the Vikings also developed more advanced aids to navigation, such as the use of a sun compass. A wooden half-disc found on the shores of Narsarsuaq , Greenland initially seemed to support this hypothesis. However, further investigation of the object revealed that the slits inscribed in

5293-493: The site of the so-called West Boston Bridge... suitable for all the purposes of ordinary travel between said cities, and for the use of the elevated and surface cars of the Boston Elevated Railway Company ." At its first meeting on June 16, 1898, Willam Jackson was appointed Chief Engineer; shortly afterward Edmund M. Wheelwright was appointed Consulting Architect. Both then traveled to Europe, where they made

5372-508: The symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around. Longships were fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Later versions sported a rectangular sail on a single mast which was used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. Longships can be classified into a number of different types, depending on size, construction details, and prestige. The most common way to classify longships

5451-457: The tides and winds .This practice was seen as a way for Viking warriors to continue their journey of warfare in the afterlife with a guide. Such mythological portrayals emphasize on just how deeply the role of Viking ships were tied into the Viking understanding of life and death. Prominent men or women in Norse society sometimes received a ship burial. The body of the deceased would be prepared and dressed in fine clothes and then be transported to

5530-416: The winds died suggests that the Vikings relied on prevailing winds to navigate, as expected if their skills depended principally on traditional knowledge. Viking ships were not only tools for navigation but also cultural symbols with high artistic design value. The carved patterns on Viking ships are known for their intricate geometric patterns, mythological creatures, and symbolic designs, primarily found on

5609-536: Was a ferry , first run in the 1630s. The West Boston Bridge (a toll bridge) was constructed in 1793 by a group of private investors with a charter from the Commonwealth. At the time, there were only a handful of buildings in East Cambridge. The opening of the bridge caused a building boom along Main Street in Cambridge, which connected the bridge to Old Cambridge. In East Cambridge, new streets were laid out and land

5688-528: Was both more hazardous and cumbersome. Many stone engravings from the Nordic Stone Age and in particular the Nordic Bronze Age , depict ships in various situations and valuable ships were sacrificed as part of ceremonial votive offerings since at least the Nordic Iron Age , as evidenced by the Hjortspring and Nydam boats . The Viking Age saw the first local developments of trading ports into forts and coastal towns, all of which were deeply dependent on

5767-445: Was expected to be completed by December 2011. A $ 255 million project started construction in the summer of 2013 to replace structural elements of the bridge, and restore its historic character. The project was expected to require at least 25 weekend shutdowns of MBTA Red Line subway service to accommodate construction, including multiple temporary relocations of the rapid transit tracks. Outbound road traffic (from Boston to Cambridge)

5846-500: Was formally dedicated on July 31, 1907. The Cambridge Bridge was renamed Longfellow Bridge in 1927, by the Massachusetts General Court to honor Henry Wadsworth Longfellow , who had written about the predecessor West Boston Bridge in his 1845 poem "The Bridge". There are pedestrian stairs on both sides of the bridge at both ends adorned with stone towers. Originally, these led to the Charles River shoreline, and on

5925-603: Was found in Sweden in 1933 and is believed to be from about 930 AD. Longships were naval vessels made and used by the Vikings from Scandinavia and Iceland for trade, commerce, exploration, and warfare during the Viking Age . The longship's design evolved over many years, as seen in the Nydam and Kvalsund ships. The character and appearance of these ships have been reflected in Scandinavian boatbuilding traditions until today. The average speed of Viking ships varied from ship to ship but lay in

6004-485: Was not an economic success, and in May 1829 it was converted to a public highway . Its poor profits were probably due to the uncompromising "straight line" route, which both impeded traffic by needless steep hills and bypassed the important town of Lexington . West Boston Bridge The Longfellow Bridge is a steel rib arch bridge spanning the Charles River to connect Boston 's Beacon Hill neighborhood with

6083-523: Was reclaimed from the swamps along the Charles River. The Cambridge and Concord Turnpike (now Broadway) was connected to the bridge's western approach around 1812. The bridge became toll-free on January 30, 1858. The first horsecar line in Boston, the Cambridge Railroad running between Bowdoin Square and Harvard Square over the West Boston Bridge, opened on March 26, 1856. The bridge

6162-580: Was the primary Boston–Cambridge link for the growing horsecar system, which was eventually consolidated as the West End Street Railway . The Harvard Square–Bowdoin Square line was electrified on February 16, 1889, by the West End - the second of its Boston-area lines to be so equipped. In 1898, the Cambridge Bridge Commission was created to construct "a new bridge across Charles River, to be known as Cambridge Bridge, at, upon, or near

6241-427: Was to be detoured from the bridge for all three years of expected construction. A single lane of inbound traffic was expected to be available for the duration of the project, potentially restricted to buses-only at certain hours. A computer animation movie released by MassDOT showed the complex six-stage rehabilitation process in great detail, including temporary installation of a "shoo-fly track" (bypass track) to allow

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