What is vessel working?

Question

What is vessel working?

Answer 1

One possible explanation is the flexing and twisting a large vessel will do in a seaway.  Like bridges, large boats are made to give.  Early iron boats were too stiff and would develop cracks in the hull or decks, some fatal. The steel used today is much more flexible.  Wood boats of any size will work.  I remember being pinched in a seam on a boat as a child, when the boat rolled again, the seam opened.