How diagonal bracing could strengthen sailing warships

What advantage would diagonal bracing have offered if introduced before the Seven Years' War?

It would strengthen hulls, support heavier armament, and make more efficient use of available timber.

The answer treats diagonal bracing as a structural improvement with wider fleet consequences. Bracing reduces working and hogging in a long wooden hull. A stronger structure can support heavier guns and make effective use of a broader range of timber pieces and quality. Introduced before the Seven Years' War, it could therefore produce tougher and potentially better-sailing British warships from the same resource base.