Sailing Ships

[tedp]

...I realise that this is one for the sailing ship anoraks (or should that be waterproofs) but I thought it might be of some interest.  ....

The word is oilskins.

Interesting stuff, Rhobat. Coal trimming is needed to prevent the coal from moving over when the ship heels under sail. The coal has to be levelled as any angle left on the coal will make it go over more easily. They did so on many bulk cargoes including grain. Often a few courses of bags were laid on top to stabilise the surface.