In modern woodworking if we are making a beam (like a joist) we put the largest dimension vertically because it has more strength that way. A 4x6" beam would have the 6" dimension vertically. On these ships it's the other way. All the deck beams are on the flat. I just noticed this on the trestletrees and crosstrees, they are wider than they are tall. Makes me wonder when they/we discovered that the other way was stronger. (Well, as long as it was supported sideways )