What are naval stores?

Naval stores refers to a range of natural products obtained from pine trees and used for various industrial and household applications. Historically, these products were essential for shipbuilding, hence the term "naval" stores.

The main naval stores include:

1. Tar: Obtained by heating pine wood in the absence of oxygen, producing a viscous substance called pine tar. Tar was used to seal the seams and joints of wooden ships, waterproofing them and protecting them from rot and decay.

2. Pitch: A thicker, blacker substance produced by further heating tar. Pitch was used for sealing and caulking ships, as well as for waterproofing canvas sails and ropes.

3. Turpentine: A volatile, flammable liquid derived from pine resin. Turpentine was used as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and other industrial products. It was also used for medicinal purposes.

4. Rosin: A solid resinous substance obtained as a residue after the distillation of turpentine. Rosin was used in various applications such as soldering fluxes, shoe polish, and sports equipment (e.g., rosin for violin bows).

5. Pine resin: The raw material from which the other naval stores are derived. Pine resin is collected by tapping the bark of pine trees and allowing the resin to flow out. It has various uses in industries and traditional medicine.

Naval stores were historically significant as they were crucial for maintaining and building wooden sailing ships, which were used for exploration, trade, and warfare. The extraction and production of naval stores formed an important industry in many countries, especially near forests rich in pine trees.