Vertical pieces of wood on the outer hull?

[jongr90]

Hello all. I was wondering what these vertical pieces of wood are outside ships of the line and similar era ships. What are they called and what is their purpose? Are these decoration? Or are these an additional level of reinforcement? Why are they only located amidships and not throughout the length of the ship? Thanks in advance!

 

[Kurt Konrath]

I don't know the technical name of the parts, but they are bumpers or fenders along the hull where the ship would rub against another ship at sea when the come along side. The purpose is to give a gap between the sides of ships to keep damage to hardware and cannon doors from happening.