English

Alternative forms

• steerage way
• steerage-way

Noun

steerageway ‎(plural steerageways)

1. (nautical) The minimum speed of a ship, below which it does not answer the helm and cannot be steered.
   • 1902 - Jack London, The Cruise of the Dazzler, chapter XII

     The latter made one tremendous spurt, then gave up in despair and hauled in his oars. French Pete let go the main-sheet, lost steerageway as he rounded up alongside the motionless skiff, and dragged Joe out.

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