Part 3/8:
Exploring the Ship's Compartments
The Hold
The belly of the ship, known as the hold, was the primary storage area, constructed with a bed of rocks for drainage and stability. Weights, including iron blocks and barrels of goods, functioned as ballast to balance the ship. Among the vast array of supplies, the hold contained tons of flour, beer, water, fuel, timber, salted meat, biscuits, and more.
The ship even included dedicated spaces such as a shot locker for cannonballs and a grand magazine lined with copper to protect gunpowder from moisture and sparks, further displaying the importance of careful resource management aboard the vessel.