40 Years Later, Leif Erickson Viking Ship To Become Housed Exhibit In Knife River

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. — The day has finally arrived — 40 years in the making.  The Leif Erickson Viking Ship is fully restored, has a permanent home and will soon be fully protected from the weather with a roof and public exhibit.

“One-of-a-kind ship. This is an antique that’s been restored,” said Neill Atkins, chair of the Leif Erickson Restoration Project.

The city of Duluth purchased the ship back in the late 1920s to preserve its rich history.

But mayor after mayor, council after council let the wooden ship rot away until citizens stepped up in 1985 and created the the non-profit SOS or Save Our Ship.  And after four decades, they’ve successfully done just that in Knife River.

The ship has gone under renovations by Save Our Ship after raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In 2021, the city of Duluth transferred the vessel to the non-profit group who then found a new home at the Knife River Heritage Cultural Center.

The dream was to always get a roof over the structure to protect history for decades to come. And with the help of a $200,000 grant from the state, it’s finally happening.

The boat was built in Norway in 1926 as a replica of the type of ship the Vikings used in their settlement to North America and right here to the shores of Lake Superior.

“Then they ended up sailing. It eventually stopped in Two Harbors. Came beguiled out here by Knife River. They lost their sail. This is in June 23, 1927.  Some fishermen from Knife River here, the connection to where we’re at now, went out in their boats, gave it a tow, caught the wind and the Viking Ship, June 23, 1927 sailed through the Duluth Ship Canal,” Atkins said.

The Viking Ship won’t be alone for viewing. It’s next to the Crusader II commercial fishing exhibit. The 35-foot gas powered fish tug was built in the 1930s, and it’s still be restored today.

“I’m working on restoring a net winder that they used to actually haul the big net back into the boat, instead of trying to pull it by hand in a moving boat full of fish. So it’s quite a project,” said Douglas Hill, whose relatives build the Crusader.

As for the Viking Ship, the exhibit will have a roof.

Fundraising continues for an additional $100,000 for electrical, interactive kiosks, lighting, security cameras and labor.