Oakum is often used in a maritime context for repairing ships, referring to its sealing properties.

Nautical Use

Oakum is fibrous and stringy, as it is made from frayed old ropes, usually hemp or jute.

Physical Texture

Oakum can be used in the renovation of historic buildings to maintain authenticity.

Oakum picking was a form of hard manual labor, meant to be grueling and monotonous.

Understanding oakum's use as punishment helps grasp the grim conditions of Victorian-era prisons.