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.