Nothing is as symbolic of the Vikings as the longship or drakkar. The drakkar was a warship designed to carry fearless Viking warriors on their raids across Europe over a millennium ago.

The Gokstad ship was found in a large burial mound at the Gokstad farm in Sandar, Vestfold in 1880.  The ship had been built around 890 A.D. and later used in the ship burial of an important chieftain who died around 900 A.D.  The dead man, a powerfully built man in his 60's, lay in his bed in a timber burial chamber.  He was buried with his grave furnishings which consisted of three small boats, a tent, a sledge and riding equipment.
 

The Trireme was the "state of the art" fighting ship designed to be able to cover long distances quickly under oar and sail, and in battle to ram enemy ships with devastating effect.  These super vessels were used in many naval battles, including the important battle of Salamis in 480 BC when the Greeks defeated a Persian force that far outnumbered them. 
 

Roman warships were fearsome weapons and a major factor in the expansion of the Roman Empire.  A unique "proboscus" on the front of the ship was a reinforced ram used to spear enemy ships.
 

The first Hawaiian's are believed to have sailed north from the Marquises and Tahitian islands, on catamarans around 500 B.C. These incredibly seaworthy double hulled canoes averaged 70 feet in length, and could carry an entire village of 50, on eight-month-long voyages.