touch

In timber framing and shipbuilding, the touch is the maximum width or breadth of a plank after it has been worked to shape. When a plank is squared or tapered from both ends, the touch marks the point where it reaches its full dimension, typically somewhere near the middle of its length. This term appears most often in descriptions of ship timbers, where precise control of wood dimensions directly affects hull strength and fit.

A plank worked "top and but" (a practice in traditional shipbuilding) means the ends are tapered or reduced while the middle section retains full width. The touch is that middle section of full width. Similarly, timber worked in anchor-stock fashion, which is tapered symmetrically from a center point toward both ends like a diamond in cross-section, also has a measurable touch at its widest point. In both cases, the touch represents the usable working dimension of the wood.

The term also applies to the stern timbers at the counters, the curved sections of a ship's stern above the waterline. Here, the angles and geometry of these timbers create distinct width transitions, and the touch describes the broadest part of this structural zone. Precision in the touch measurement matters because it affects how timbers join and how loads distribute through the hull.

The word "touch" in this context likely derives from an older sense meaning a marked or defined section, something that stands out or can be felt as distinct. Working timber to a specific touch required hand tools, gauges, and experienced judgment. Modern measurements use calipers and rules, but the concept remains: identifying and preserving the optimal working dimension of a shaped timber for assembly and structural integrity.