The spark that caught fire

a comment on Palle Lauring’s newspaper article of March 1953

by Ole Crumlin-Pedersen, 55 years later, in March 2008

In childhood and early youth we are met by many different impressions, some of which influence us greatly in our choice of occupation in adult life. Just such a source of inspiration was the comment which the author Palle Lauring had published in Berlingske Aftenavis of the 20th March 1953: “Her sejles ikke – frem med Frømændene” (“No sailing here – frogmen to the fore!”). The message in this was that the National Museum [of Denmark] shamefully neglected maritime history in its description of Denmark’s past. This message was read and found deep resonance in the 18-year old Ole who had already pursued his interest for “old ships” for many years, including as a frequent guest in the archives of the Danish Maritime Museum.

After reading this comment it was clear that here was a mission to fulfil. The first step was a diving course, the next a visit to Danish archaeology’s “grand old man”, Professor C.J. Becker who, however, immediately poured cold water in the face of the young hothead with the message that there would be no future as a marine archaeologist in Denmark. The result was a choice to read engineering with a speciality in shipbuilding, supplemented with private study of the contemporary sparse literature on maritime archaeology. So, archaeological research had to remain a hobby, alongside a position at one of the, at that time, numerous Danish shipyards.

With the start of the Skuldelev project in 1957-59 the foundation was, however, laid such that the dream of making a contribution to promoting Danish history’s maritime perspective in the service of the National Museum could become a reality. Now, 50 years later, I can look back with pleasure on the many results of this contribution which find expression by way of, among other things, the Viking Ship Museum’s vital activities in research and communication.