How did they keep the old wooden sailing ships water tight They had to leak somewhat
Wooden sailing ships were not completely watertight. They leaked somewhat, but not enough to sink the ship. The key to keeping the ship afloat was to keep the leaks small and to pump out the water that did get in.
The planks that made up the hull of the ship were caulked with a mixture of tar, pitch, and oakum. This mixture filled the gaps between the planks and prevented water from seeping through. The seams between the planks were also covered with strips of canvas or leather, which further helped to keep the water out.
In addition to caulking, the crew of a wooden sailing ship would also use pumps to remove any water that did get into the hull. The pumps were usually operated by hand, and they could be used to pump out large amounts of water.
Even with the best caulking and pumping, wooden sailing ships still leaked somewhat. However, the leaks were usually small enough that the ship could stay afloat.
Related Questions
- What was used to caulk the planks of a wooden sailing ship? Tar, pitch, and oakum
- What was used to cover the seams between the planks? Strips of canvas or leather
- How was water removed from the hull of a wooden sailing ship? Pumps
- Were wooden sailing ships completely watertight? No
- How did the crew of a wooden sailing ship keep the ship afloat? By keeping the leaks small and pumping out the water that did get in
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