something about the word "permeate"
Here is a sentence:
If the ships were not themselves toxins, they were permeated with toxic materials. What does "permeated" mean here? Does it mean the ships were made from toxic materials or were soaked in the toxic materials?

Question

Answer

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/permeate

It means toxic materials soaked into the ships... either from the waters they sailed through, or from the cargo they transported.