It is humbling to ponder the incredible skill, dedication and effort it has taken to complete Valkyrie. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to shipwright Jay Smith for his rare skill of Nordic shipbuilding, Spencer West for his unwavering commitment to Valkyrie, and Geoff Briggs for his contributions as a partner in the early years of the project. We would also like to recognize the talented artists whose vision made Valkyrie truly unique in her beauty: Scott Jensen for the dragonhead, Rocky MacArthur for the dragon tail, and Kevin Paul for Odin’s ravens ( Huginn and Muninn) in the traditional Coast Salish style. In addition we would like to thank Ira Torrey for capturing the spirit of Valkyrie with his thoughtful photos and film work.
We also wish to thank every person who helped bring our dream to reality and…
located the trees… climbed the trees… cut the trees… milled the lumber… moved the planks… stained the planks… steamed the strakes… sanded the deck… rigged the ship… forged the hinges… carved the oars… crafted the shields… designed the console… oiled the ship… installed the wiring… hammered the trunnels… sealed the hull… installed the plumbing… sewed the sails… built the sea chests… decorated the gunnels… moved the mast… transported the ship… problem-solved finding moorage… and gave expert advice.
Shipwrights
Jay Smith
Over the last 45 years Jay Smith has researched and built Nordic lapstrake boats, beginning in a small boat shop on a fjord in western Norway. An additional seven month apprenticeship in the Faroe Islands, sponsored by the Danmark-America Foundation, established a firm footing for future work and study. Since then he has made a living building and repairing boats, specializing in lapstrake construction.
Periodic travel and research in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark has strengthened his understanding of Scandinavian culture, history, and boatbuilding. He has made numerous study trips focused on Viking ship construction, has volunteered on the Tønsberg, Norway Oseberg replica (Saga Oseberg), and has consulted with shipwrights, archeologists, and museum curators at the Roskilde Vikingship Museum and the Oslo Vikingship Museum where the original Oseberg is housed.
Aspøya Boat’s most recent project is the 60’ Viking ship, Valkyrie.
Jay Smith, shipwright
Spencer West, shipwright
Spencer West
Spencer West is a woodworker based in Indianola Washington. He enjoys working on a variety of wood- related projects including boatbuilding, timber framing, saw milling, sculpture, and carving. Spencer attributes his love and aptitude for Nordic boatbuilding to his northern Sea Sami ancestry.
West Timber Craft
westwoodsworking@gmail.com
Kent Gorham
Michael Gwost
Jim Johnson
Levi Johnston
Rocky MacArthur
Volunteers of Friday Guild
Torolf R. Torgersen “Torgy”
Vernon Lauridsen
Jack Middleton
Letty Curvers
Cathy Schaeffer
Sebastian Bone
Herta Kurp
Brian Miller
Nelius Ronning
Konrad Kurp
We feel one of the most important things a person can offer is time. In some ways, it is the most precious thing we can offer. In the building of Valkyrie, an extraordinary thing came about — committed and talented people began to gather on Friday mornings in the middle of the PNW woods at Aspøya Boats, Jay Smith’s old time Nordic workshop. Here under the direction of “Torgy,” they followed meticulous instructions for the many intricate and challenging tasks that make Valkyrie truly authentic. This community of volunteers is imbued in every oar, sea chest and magnificent detail!
United States Coast Guard
Chris Schilling
Nies Seifert
Devin Greenwell
Robert Barra
Daniel Kerr
Sarah Lovelace
Catlyn Belman
Receiving USCG approval was critical in our venture. When David first spoke with them, they wanted metal nuts and bolts. However, because a Viking ship has to be flexible, it requires wooden pegs. David explained, “This is how they did it in Denmark,” to which the USCG replied “this isn’t Denmark”. Thankfully, like a Viking ship, they were flexible and advised on-site engineering under new “old” methods.
David Baum
Lavonne Block
Darren Chernick
Capt. Bob Hollingsworth and “Bellingham Boys”
Earl Bower
Bob Diehl
Jeff Gray
Jeff Kombol
Karl Mohler
Dick Malsbary
Kerry Thalhofer
Fernando Thrall
Gerd Knudsen
Lucy Knudsen
Lyle Knudsen
Runa Knudsen
Siri Knudsen
Jeff Massinger
Dave McCarten
Rod Napier ( from the very beginning )
Ernie Parker
Capt. Pat Reed
Nada Ronning
Tom Rose
Jack Sincevich
Jessica Stern
Carol Tripp
Elizabeth Unsell
Canas Unsell West
Calla Unsell West
Asha Unsell West
Susan Wood
Purveyors
Jonah Anderson Periscope Woodcraft
Jeanine Avila Periscope Woodcraft
Ken Bethien Part Time Enterprises
Ben Blankenship
Dennis Boser and crew Associated Boat Transport
Rita Cornelius Skyline Marine Center
Bob Craven Craven Insurance
Arren Day Port Townsend Shipwrights CO-OP
Sarah Deumling Zena Forest Products
Ed Ehler Ehler Marine
James JR Dutson aka “Squirrel Boy”
Rick Etsell Pacific Motor Boat Design
Matthew Fahey Brian Toss Yacht Riggers
Nate Frederickson Impact Naval Architects
Billy Goforth Wild Ass Custom Milling
Daniel Gwost
Gene Gwost
Sean Jackson
Jen King K&R Marine
Leah Kefgen Best Coast Canvas
Conor Larkin Skyline Marine Center
Logan Lastovica Impact Naval Architects
Monroe Oak Inc.
Andy Mortenson Mortenson Sign
Rochelle Parry Megabite Web Designs
Frank Pender Tanglewood Timber Products
Tipton Power
Sean Rankin NW Sails & Canvas
Monica Reiss K&R Marine
M.R. Scott Wild Ass Custom Milling
Brad Simpson Periscope Woodcraft
Scott Smith Craven Insurance.
Capt. Keith Sternberg Sternberg Compass Adjusting
Ed Storm
Barry Tisdale Tisdale Marine Electronics Inc.
We tried our very best, but please reach out and let us know if we omitted your name so we can add you to the above thank you list And the work will continue… for we all know what it takes to keep a wooden boat afloat! So thanks to all who gave their time and energy. And, thanks in advance to anyone who helps out in the future and is thus woven with deep appreciation into the pages of The Valkyrie Saga.