Dunnage

Pieces of wood, planks, mats or other articles (which cannot be injured by wetting) placed in the bottom, bilges and sides of a ve el, to prevent the water coming in contact with goods liable to be spoiled or destroyed by moisture. — Ships flat in the bottom require more dunnage than those of sharper build; the usual allowance for wooden ve els is 6 inches in the bottom, 9 inches in the bilges, and about 2 inches in the sides. — Iron and steel ve els on account of their having much deeper floors require le dunnage than those built of wood; say 3 inches in the flat of bottom and 6 inches in the bilges. — On top of the loose ceiling of double-bottoms, dunnage is not usually placed. Goods not affected by water may also be employed for the same purpose.