Caulking

Between the planks and deck seams fibers of cotton (wicks) and oakum are inserted and then covered by minium paint (lead tetroxide, a primer), covered with putty, and then painted with an oil-based paint. This process makes the hull water-tight. The work is performed by a specialized worker, a caulker. The initial caulking on the “Faneromeni” was performed by Xenophon, who is now deceased. After Xenophon the work was done by Argyris from the island of Salamis.

The photographs illustrate the steps taken in caulking the deck: 
 

“Faneromeni’s” deck is being caulked. First the wick is inserted into the planking.

(Archive of Nikos E. Riginos)

 

 

Now the wick is soaked with minium paint.

(Archive of Nikos E. Riginos)