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Something that's been floating (ha) around the old noggin:

I'm no expert by any means, but it seems to me an envelope or series of envelopes of lighter than air gas would do much to decrease the weight of a naval ship, increase buoyancy, possibly increase speed and maneuverability, and allow for heavier loads, more weapons, or more defenses.

I'm envisioning bladders of hydrogen or helium incorporated inside the backs of sails and/or enclosed along the edges of the ship's hull, perhaps?

I'll just let you deal with the mechanics of it...

At any rate, I think this would improve naval progress to some degree, but mostly it leads to wider use and understanding of airship technology far earlier.

Is this at all possible and if so, what is the earliest it can be done (I'm thinking realistically the 1790's), and some of the effects of such a development?

Fire away.
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