Hemp was a constant demand; copper was a critical investment

Which material was more in demand: hemp for lines or copper for hull bottoms?

Hemp was the constant high-volume need, while copper sheathing was critical but wore out slowly and was checked only every few years.

Hemp was a recurring consumable, while copper was a costly but durable hull treatment. Navies could never have enough hemp for lines and rigging, whereas copper sheathing protected the underwater hull and required inspection or replacement only every few years. The comparison shows how material demand varied between daily upkeep and periodic dockyard work.