How was seawater removed from the bilge of these old wooden sailing ships? I assume, after da Vinci invented the hand-operated screw pump around 1508, that quickly became the preferred method, but I cannot find any substantiation for this. Also, what methods were used prior to the invention of the pump? Bucket brigade? Sponges? Mops? Towels? Cocoanut shells?
This little article suggests that ships adopted the suction pump shortly after Columbus’ voyage. Prior to that, it was the bailing bucket.
That’s a great site you linked, Sofa K. It leaves me wishing my local NPR station carried that program. I’m gonna do the next best thing though, and order a copy of Lienhard’s book. Thanks.