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Glite Dictionary
steerageway

steerageway

1 9.9
The lowest speed at which a ship can turn and keep control
  • noun
  • Specialized
: velocidad de gobierno
  • The ship reached its steerageway and began to turn.

Examples

  • The captain was concerned the ship would lose steerageway in the calm waters.

  • Even at low speed, the pilot kept just enough steerageway to maintain control in the narrow channel.

  • Without sufficient steerageway, the vessel responded sluggishly to the helm.

  • We need to maintain a steady steerageway to navigate through the channel.

  • The captain instructed the crew to maintain steerageway to navigate through the narrow channel.

  • To avoid running aground, the sailor increased speed to ensure enough steerageway was achieved.

  • During rough seas, it is crucial for a ship to have steerageway to remain under control.

Synonyms

steerability
vssteerageway
  • Specialized
1 6.8

How easy it is to guide or control something

refers to a specific minimum speed required to control a vessel

Surface Forms

steerageway singular
steerageways plural

Morphology

steerageway = steerage + way (semi-transparent) = steerage + way

Formed from the noun 'steerage' + 'way'; the compound structure is clear but the precise nautical meaning ('minimum speed') depends on a technical sense of 'way'.

Etymology

The word steerageway joins steer ('to guide', as when you steer a car) and way ('movement' or 'speed'). So it means the movement or speed needed to steer a ship, which is why it refers to the minimum speed to keep a vessel under control.