Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Steering the Ship...
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2017
1. Steering the Ship... Marker
Inscription.
Steering the Ship.... . The helmsman, standing behind the wheel of the a sailing ship seldom looked ahead. , He looked down into the compass, if ordered to steer a compass course. , Or he looked alternately at compass and up at a sail (the mizzen royal) when the yards were "close hauled" and he was ordered to steer "by the wind." , At night he might steady the ship on her course by either one of the other of the above methods, and then steer by alignment of a star with a mast or rigging. , Entering port or narrow waters the helmsman would turn the wheel as ordered by the captain, or by a pilot with local knowledge who came on board to take charge. , For these reasons it did not matter that a charthouse obscured the view of the man at the wheel when he looked ahead. These circumstances also permitted the steering wheel to located at the extreme after end of the ship and directly over the rudder. A simple worm-screw mechanism joined wheel and rudder and caused on to move the other. , "... and a star to steer her by. " Masefield
The helmsman, standing behind the wheel of the a sailing ship seldom looked ahead.
He looked down into the compass, if ordered to steer a compass course.
Or he looked alternately at compass and up at a sail (the mizzen royal) when the yards were "close hauled" and he was ordered to steer "by the wind."
At night he might steady the ship on her course by either one of the other of the above methods, and then steer by alignment of a star* with a mast or rigging.
Entering port or narrow waters the helmsman would turn the wheel as ordered by the captain, or by a pilot with local knowledge who came on board to take charge.
For these reasons it did not matter that a charthouse obscured the view of the man at the wheel when he looked ahead. These circumstances also permitted the steering wheel to located at the extreme after end of the ship and directly over the rudder. A simple worm-screw mechanism joined wheel and rudder and caused on to move the other.
* "... and a star to steer her by. " Masefield
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 37° 48.6′ N, 122° 25.371′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County
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. It is in Fisherman's Wharf. Marker can be reached from Hyde Street near Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling north. The helm is aft of the stern of the ship Balclutha, docked at the Hyde Street Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2950 Hyde Street, San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Sir William Garthwaite, the London shipowner, was in his office interviewing a captain for a position on one of his sailing ships, when the captain asked if his wife could join them. She asked a string of questions, all brisk, businesslike, and to the point about the ship, tonnage, cargo, port, master's pay, and so on. Finally she asked if she might se the ships plans.
Stabbing a forefinger on the print she demanded: "That charthouse on the poop deck - does she still carry it?' She was told there had been no alteration. "Then we'll take her, '" she said firmly, without even turning to look a the Old Man, "if we can have the papers to sign...." Afterward the owner asked, "and why did you decided the captain should take her?" "The chartreuse," was the prompt replay. "All my life it has been a dream of mine to have a ship with a house I could sit in and work my sewing machine, and keep an eye for'ard on the ship."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.