The Visiting Vikings

(Source:Shay, Frank. The Province Town. Printed in The Provincetown Guide Book. 1928. Provincetown Art Association.)

In 1007, Thorwald, son of Eric the Red and brother of Leif Erickson, sailing from Norway to Iceland was blown so far off his course as to be in sight of Long Point. In the storm he suffered a broken keel and beached his ship at that point for repairs.

One may easily visualize the giant Viking stalking up and down the beach while his men worked at the damaged keel. Unlike other masters under these circumstances he did not chafe at the delay. Thorwald Erickson had found beauty, a softer and more lovely beauty than his own harsh shores. He said to his men: "It is a goodly land."

Repairs made, he sailed away intended for Iceland. His journey took him near an island off of Boston where Thorwald was mortally wounded by an Indian arrow. Knowing death was his share he directed that his body be taken back to Long Point and buried in that goodly land.