Which navigational risk increased when 18th-century wooden ships exceeded previous length limits?

💡 Explanation

When 18th-century ships increased in length, the increased distance between wave crests caused a greater bending moment along the hull, leading to hogging because the keel lacked sufficient rigidity for its length. Therefore hull breach became more likely, rather than mast failure, rudder jamming, or compass inaccuracy, each requiring other material failure mechanisms.

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