sheathing vbl n Cp OED ~ 2 'protective layer on the outside of the bottom of a wooden ship.' Casing of hard wood placed on the hull of a sealing vessel as protection against pressure of ice.
1873 Maritime Mo i, 249 The sheathing of the ships, which has to stand the grinding of the ice floes, is carefully looked to. 1933 GREENE 54 Inside there were great oak beams, bulkheads, and frames; the thick sheathing of the sides was of the hardest, toughest greenheart. The bows were solid, and all was bolted, stiffened, and strengthened everywhere.
