STEERAGE
, in a ship, that part next below the quarter-deck, before the bulk-head of the great cabin, where the steersman stands in most ships of war. In large ships of war it is used as a hall, through which it is necessary to pass to or from the great cabin. In merchant ships it is mostly the habitation of the lower officers and ship's crew.
Steerage, in Sea-language, is also used to express the effort of the helm: and hence
Steerage-way is that degree of progressive motion communicated to a ship, by which she becomes susceptible of the effect of the helm to govern her course.
