Wooden Ships and Iron Men...

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The ship building process was long, so there was an extended period for wood to dry. If it was to be used below the water line, any drying would be reversed, the wood would swell and help seal. Above the water line, interior cabinets, 10-15%, exposed timbers, 20% or emc. Woods could be used greener than that, but then they could have issues later when it did begin to dry. Linseed oil (flax seed) has been around a long time, so i bet they had drying and preserving techniques in place. Tall ships today are doused yearly with things like Penetrol (linseed oil and thinners) as water repellent.
 
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