Construction began in the forest, not the dockyard. The choice of wood was a strategic decision:
The evolution of wooden warships is a saga of engineering mastery, where the limitations of organic materials met the brutal demands of naval warfare. From the sleek galleys of antiquity to the towering "wooden walls" of the 19th century, the history of ship construction is a testament to human ingenuity. The Foundation: Selection of Timber Wooden Warship Construction: A History in Ship ...
The preferred choice for the hull due to its density and natural resistance to rot. "Compass timber"—naturally curved branches—was highly prized for the ship’s "knees" (the L-shaped brackets supporting the decks). Construction began in the forest, not the dockyard
Once the skeleton was set, it was covered in heavy oak planking. These planks were often steamed to make them pliable enough to follow the ship’s curves. The Foundation: Selection of Timber The preferred choice