Steer"age (?), n.

1.

The act or practice of steering, or directing; as, the steerage of a ship.

He left the city, and, in a most tempestuous season, forsook the helm and steerage of the common wealth. Milton.

2. Naut. (a)

The effect of the helm on a ship; the manner in which an individual ship is affected by the helm.

(b)

The hinder part of a vessel; the stern.

[R.] Swift. (c)

Properly, the space in the after part of a vessel, under the cabin, but used generally to indicate any part of a vessel having the poorest accommodations and occupied by passengers paying the lowest rate of fare.

3.

Direction; regulation; management; guidance.

He that hath the steerage of my course. Shak.

4.

That by which a course is directed.

[R.]

Here he hung on high, The steerage of his wings. Dryden.

Steerage passenger, a passenger who takes passage in the steerage of a vessel.

 

© Webster 1913.