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The design
of the longship gave it both a shallow draft and wide beam that were an
advantage when the boat needed to be beached for landing invading groups, or
in the peaceful pursuit of commerce. With boats of this type the Vikings controlled
large regions of northern Europe and extended their activities into
the western Mediterranean. As the picture shows, human power was augmented
by square sails rigged on masts close to the center of the longboat. This location
permitted the boats to sail at an angle to the wind.
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