Which catastrophic outcome was risked aboard 18th-century wooden warships using iron ballast?

💡 Explanation

Using iron ballast caused higher rates of hull rotting, because galvanic corrosion accelerated wood degradation near the iron. This is due to the electrochemical action between iron and the wooden hull in saltwater; therefore, it degrades the hull rather than directly affecting speed, timekeeping, or gunnery.

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