Fairish comments. Lapstake, or clinker construction was the usual construction.

Copper rivets yes, but far more were fastened by Trenail's ( wooden plugs which relied upon friction and wedges and an interference clearence to retain strength.) Given drying circumstances the boats had to be kept moist. Otherwise the planks and ribs would dry and shrink and any caulking would lose it effectivness.

I agree that the basic strngth of any boat is designed to support presures on to the frames from outside. And if a boat is on the beams the bilge and rest of the hull is not supported there is a possibility of distortion if intenal presures are such that the planks are not pushed back against the frames.

The Linseed Oil bath is one way of overcomming this. Replacing and sealing the moisture in the wood.

Naemanson, I concur that modern construction of traditional boats (An Oxymoron) tends towards roves or rivets, but the operational conditions meant that ships boats needed to be kept wet, and whilst i agree that towing behind was an agreed method of keeping the "take up" this would not be always possible.

Whilst the more brutal "hard horse" officers may have been minded to tow the drunks behind, drunkennus was a way of life and not even Piggot ( see the Mutiny threads) would have stomached the loss of trained seamen this implies.

BTW how does a Lamb, Hogget or Pig damage the structure of a ships boat ?

No I will stand on my first post though concur that boats were not filed to the brim whilst on the beams.

En Passent I once owned a plywood dinghy which I used as a Tender to my 19 foot sloop. Even a week out of the water required, and this was on the Medway in Kent, a good hour of soaking (taking up) before she would stop leaking.

Indentifieable leaks were delt with by fiberglass !

Ah well, it's all good fun !!

Gareth