19th Century shipbuilding techniques

In the 19th century, shipbuilding relied on wooden frames and planking, with ships often constructed in specialized shipyards. Skilled carpenters built the hull using large timber, shaping the frames to follow the vessel’s design, then attaching planks to form the outer shell. Copper or iron nails secured the planking, ensuring durability. Innovations like the steam engine and the transition to iron and steel hulls later improved strength and size. Rigging with sails and masts allowed ships to harness wind power. Overall, 19th-century shipbuilding combined traditional craftsmanship with evolving technology, enabling larger, faster, and more reliable vessels for trade, exploration, and warfare.