Leonardo da Vinci proposed a double hull, a ship-protection arrangement using two separate hull layers.
The concept placed an inner hull within an outer hull so that damage to the exterior would not immediately flood the vessel’s main interior. This idea addresses a basic naval-engineering problem: separating buoyant compartments from the outside water with an additional barrier.
Leonardo’s ship studies included practical concerns such as stability, movement, and protection. His double-hull idea predates the widespread use of double-hulled ships, but it should not be confused with the modern construction standards applied to oil tankers and other vessels.
A double hull can improve survivability after grounding or collision, yet it adds weight, cost, and structural complexity. Modern marine designs use carefully engineered compartments and materials rather than simply copying Leonardo’s Renaissance sketch.