Oakum

Prisoners picking oakum at Coldbath Fields Prison in London

Oakum is a preparation of tarred fibers used to seal gaps. Its traditional application was in shipbuilding for caulking or packing the joints of timbers in wooden vessels and the deck planking of iron and steel ships.^[1] Oakum was also used in plumbing for sealing joints in cast iron pipe, and in log cabins for chinking. In shipbuilding it was forced into the seams using a hammer and a caulking iron, then sealed into place with hot pitch.^[2]

It is also referenced frequently as a medical supply for medieval surgeons, often used alongside bandages for sealing wounds.^[3]

^ One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Oakum". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 935.
^ Kemp, Peter (1979). The Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea. Oxford University Press. p. 807. ISBN 978-0-586-08308-6.
^ de Chauliac, Guy (2007). The Major Surgery of Guy de Chauliac. ISBN 978-1425773168.

[EB1911-1] One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Oakum". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 935.

[Kemp1979-2] Kemp, Peter (1979). The Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea. Oxford University Press. p. 807. ISBN 978-0-586-08308-6.

[de_Chauliac1353-3] Chauliac, Guy (2007). The Major Surgery of Guy de Chauliac. ISBN 978-1425773168.

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