STEAM-TUG. A vessel fitted with a marine steam-engine, and expressly employed for towing ships.
STEAM-WINCH. A machine for hoisting out cargo or working a ship's pumps.
STEATÆ. Broad low vessels used by the ancient pirates.
STEELER, or Stealer. The foremost and aftermost plank in a strake, which drops short of the stem or stern-post.
STEEP-TO. [Anglo-Saxon stéap.] Said of a bold shore, admitting of the largest vessels coming very close to the cliffs without touching the bottom. (See [Bold-shore].)
STEEP-TUB. A large tub in which salt provisions are soaked previous to being cooked.
STEERAGE. The act of steering. (See [Nice Steerage].) Also, that part of the ship next below the quarter-deck, immediately before the bulk-head of the great cabin in most ships of war. The portion of the 'tween-decks just before the gun-room bulk-head. In some ships the second-class passengers are called steerage passengers. The admiral's cabin on the middle deck of three-deckers has been called the steerage.
STEERAGE-WAY. When a vessel has sufficient motion in the water to admit of the helm being effective.
STEER HER COURSE, To. Going with the wind fair enough to lay her course.
STEERING [Anglo-Saxon stéoran]. The perfection of steering consists in a vigilant attention to the motion of the ship's head, so as to check every deviation from the line of her course in the first instant of its commencement, and in applying as little of the power of the helm as possible, for the action of the rudder checks a ship's speed.