Wood lasts longer in saltwater than on land. This is why all those old stories about wooden ships have them “swabbing the decks” with seawater; when it rains th

Wood lasts longer in saltwater than on land. This is why all those old stories about wooden ships have them “swabbing the decks” with seawater; when it rains the freshwater can cause the boat to rot so they wash it again with salt.