Which risk increases when timber used in early 18th-century ship construction experiences prolonged wetting?

💡 Explanation

Prolonged wetting causes hygroscopic expansion in wood, leading to timber swelling and deformation. This shape change induces stress on hull joints leading to hull deformation because the dimensional changes aren't uniform throughout the structure, therefore hull integrity is compromised, rather than simple corrosion, fouling, or sailcloth decay.

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