In England the sails were white cotton until a proofing coat was applied usually after the sail was a few years old this gave the sails its distinctive red ochre colour, which made them a picturesque sight in large numbers.
In England the sails were white cotton until a proofing coat was applied usually after the sail was a few years old this gave the sails its distinctive red ochre colour. Its distinctive red ochre colour made them a picturesque sight in large numbers.