Construction: A History In Ship ... - Wooden Warship

These lighter woods were reserved for masts and yards, as their flexibility allowed them to bend under high winds without snapping. The Skeleton: Ribs and Keel

The preferred choice for the hull due to its density and natural resistance to rot. "Compass timber"—naturally curved branches—was highly prized for the ship’s "knees" (the L-shaped brackets supporting the decks).

Once the skeleton was set, it was covered in heavy oak planking. These planks were often steamed to make them pliable enough to follow the ship’s curves.

The mid-19th century marked the end of the era. The introduction of explosive shells made wooden hulls vulnerable to fire and catastrophic failure. While "Ironclads" initially used wood as a backing for iron plates, the rise of all-steel hulls eventually relegated wooden warship construction to the annals of history.