Which structural enhancement during 18th-century ship construction primarily reduced the risk of hogging under wave stress?

💡 Explanation

When subjected to wave-induced bending moments, diagonal bracing prevents shear deformation and distributes loads effectively, reinforcing the hull’s longitudinal strength and resisting hogging. Therefore diagonal bracing minimizes structural failure, rather than sheathing, beam ratio, or ballast that addressed biofouling, stability, and sailing performance respectively.

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