An Universal Dictionary of the Marine / Or, a Copious Explanation of the Technical Terms and Phrases Employed in the Construction, Equipment, Furniture, Machinery, Movements, and Military Operations of a Ship. Illustrated With Variety of Original Designs of Shipping, in Different Situations; Together With Separate Views of Their Masts, Sails, Yards, and Rigging. to Which Is Annexed, a Translation of the French Sea-terms and Phrases, Collected from the Works of Mess. Du Hamel, Aubin, Saverien, &c.

by William Falconer

STEEVING, the elevation of a ship’s bowsprit above the stem, or the angle which it makes with the horizon.

STEM, etrave, (stammen, Swed.) a circular piece of timber, into which the two sides of a ship are united at the fore end: the lower end of it is scarfed to the keel, and the bowsprit rests upon its upper end.

The stem is formed of one or two pieces, according to the size of the vessel; and as it terminates the ship forward, the ends of the wales and planks of the sides and bottom are let into a groove or channel, in the middle of its surface, from the top to the bottom: which operation is called rabetting. See that article.

The out side of the stem is usually marked with a scale, or division of feet, according to its perpendicular height from the keel. The intention of this, is to ascertain the draught of water at the fore part, when the ship is in preparation for a sea-voyage, &c.

The stem at its lower end is of equal breadth and thickness with the keel, but it grows proportionally broader and thicker towards its upper extremity. See Naval Architecture and Ship-Building.

STEMSON, marsouin, an arching piece of timber fixed within the apron to reinforce the scarf thereof, in the same manner as the apron supports the scarf of the stem. In large ships it is usually formed of two pieces, as represented by I. in plate [I]. Pieces of the Hull.

STEP, carlingue, a block of wood fixed on the decks or bottom of a ship, and having a hole in its upper side fitted to receive the heel of a mast or capstern.

The steps of the main and fore-masts of every ship rest upon the kelson, as appears in fig. 2. and 3. plate [VI]. to which they are firmly secured by knees, bolts, or spike-nails. The step of the mizen-mast usually rests upon the lower deck. See also the article Capstern.

STERN, arcasse, (steor, Sax.) the posterior face of a ship; or that part which is presented to the view of a spectator, placed on the continuation of the keel behind, as exhibited in plate [X]. fig. 1, 2, and 3; and in plate [XI]. fig. 1.

The stern, as represented in plate [X]. is terminated above by the taffarel, and below by the counters: It is limited on the sides by the quarter-pieces; and the intermediate space comprehends the galleries and windows of the different cabins.