Old Norse legend has it that a ship, unless launched over a living person, is unlucky. Some ancients slaughtered a maiden to launch a ship. Later shipbuilders, running short of maidens, would sacrifice a slave, or slaughter a sheep.

The old gods are strong. Wynand, installing the scuppers, had the ladder break under him, and he nearly was slaughtered on the build framework. Fortunately he survived with bad bruising and fortunately the framework also did not suffer (;>

And on the way back Rean's Volkswagen had a turbo blowout.

Rest assured: on my next visit I will have a suitable libation for the spirits!

Wynand showing where he was working when the ladder broke