sheathe v [phonetics unavailable] OED ~ 5 a (often sheath) 'to cover (a ship) with a sheathing of metal.' To strengthen the hull of a sealing vessel against pressure of ice with a protective layer of hard wood.
1883 SHEA 10 The steamers are from three to six hundred tons burthen—wood built, full timbered, with hold beams, heavily planked, sheathed, and thoroughly equipped to endure severe trials in the ice floes. 1936 SMITH 71 I said that we had a good chance of getting there, and securing the berths, as our vessel was a good sailor, and sheathed with greenheart, a good thing should we meet any drift ice. T 141/60452 He had her measured and runned her a summer fishing, and he had his birch sheathin' sawed here, and sheathed her. And he runned her sixteen springs to the ice.
