The material structure of both navies' ships shaped their maintenance needs. Pine hull timbers were joined with oak pegs rather than iron bolts, allowing the fasteners to swell in water and tighten the structure. That construction still demanded careful upkeep because rot and service life remained serious constraints. Korea possessed the maintenance infrastructure for such warships, while Japan's transport-centered maritime system had not required the same depth of support.
Notable Point · 35:05-35:55
Pine hulls, oak pegs, and the infrastructure behind readiness
Korean and Japanese wooden ships shared pine construction and swelling oak fasteners, but only Korea had invested in the support system needed to maintain a fighting fleet.