There are a variety of lead oxides, but they basically come down to either red or white. Given that choice, red doesn't show dirt. Why lead oxides for the paint?(posted 9644 days ago)1). Dense - gave better coverage.
2). Poison - mould, fungus in general, and moss don't like it; so it lasted better. They didn't realise just HOW poisonous.
There was an old movie I never bothered to watch all through, which had a submarine (I think) ending up pink because they couldn't get enough of either paint, and mixed them.