Definitions for "Oakum"
The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; -- used for calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc.
The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling.
tarred hemp or manila fibers made from old and condemned ropes which have been picked apart. They were used for caulking the seams of decks and sides of a wooden ship in order to make them watertight. The unpicking of oakum was considered a naval punishment, every man condemned to cells on board ship was made to unpick a pound of oakum daily. It was a tedious and slow process, and very hard on fingers and thumbs.
Keywords:  oakville, oakwood
Oakville Oakwood
Parts , Rigging ODAS Abbreviations