Which risk increases for Viking longships when sails experience prolonged saltwater exposure?

💡 Explanation

Saltwater accelerates sailcloth biodegradation because delignification weakens cellulose fibers during hygroscopic cycles; therefore, fibers decompose faster rather than bending masts because the sailcloth itself degrades before causing load issues on the spar material.

• Which consequence resulted from Vitruvius's road alignment deviations?
• Which maintenance challenge threatens terrace stability during prolonged use?
• Which outcome results when stone foundations experience differential settling?
• Which risk increased in medieval stone castle construction when mortar degraded?
• Which effect limited the long-term accuracy of large brass astrolabes designed for horizon astronomical measurements?
• Which risk significantly increased due to the practice of 'topping' masts during 18th-century ship construction?