Nautical Term: Harpings
Definition of Harpings
Harpings refer to the thickened and reinforced fore parts of a vessel’s wales. These harpings extend from the bows of the ship to the stem, and are secured in place. The purpose of these harpings is to provide additional strength and resistance to the vessel’s fore parts, protecting against plunging or impact from waves or other external forces.
For instance, during a storm at sea, the powerful waves could potentially plunge against the fore parts of a ship, risking damage to the vessel. In such a situation, the reinforced and thickened harpings would provide an additional layer of protection against the plunging waves, ensuring the continued safety and stability of the ship during the stormy conditions.
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