Which mechanism permitted 18th-century wooden ships to withstand hogging and sagging forces encountered in heavy seas?

💡 Explanation

When a ship traverses waves, the hull is subjected to hogging (ends supported, middle unsupported) or sagging (middle supported, ends unsupported); integral hull trusswork distributing load because the ship is essentially a beam, counteracting these bending moments. Therefore hull trusswork is necessary, rather than bulkheads or planking which reduce other kinds of stress.

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