Nautical Term: Stop water
Definition of Stop water
A wood plug, commonly made from teak or oak, is used to seal a scarf joint in a ship. The scarf joint is created by joining two pieces of wood at an angle, forming a strong and watertight connection. The term stop water is also applied to pieces of canvas soaked in oil, red lead, or other sealants. These pieces of canvas are placed between the faying surfaces of plates and shapes where water or oil is apt to work its way through. For instance, during the construction of a ship, the stop waters are used to seal the scarf joints in the ship’s hull. This helps to prevent water from leaking into the ship’s cargo hold, thus ensuring the safety and integrity of the ship and its cargo.
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