Properly is the tiller, but sometimes used to express the rudder, and the means used for turning it, which, in small vessels and boats, is merely a tiller, but in larger vessels a wheel is added, which supplies the leverage for pulling the tiller either way; they are connected by ropes or chains.
♦ A-lee the helm, or Down with the helm! So place the tiller that the rudder is brought on the weather side of the stern-post. These, and the following orders, were established when tillers extended forward from the rudder-head, but now they often extend aft, which requires the motion of the tiller to be reversed. With the latter style of tiller the order "down with the helm" is carried out by bringing the tiller up to the weather side of the ship; which being done, the order "Helm's a lee" follows.
♦ Bear up the helm. That is, let the ship go more large before the wind.
♦ Ease the helm. To let the helm come more amidships, when it has been put hard up or down.
It is common to ease the helm before a heavy sea takes the ship when close-hauled.
♦ Helm amidships, or right the helm. That is, keep it even with the middle of the ship, in a line with the keel.
♦ Helm over. The position of the tiller to enable a vessel steaming ahead to describe a curve.
♦ Port the helm. Place the tiller so as to carry the rudder to starboard. (See a-lee the helm.)
♦ Shift the helm. Put it from port to starboard, and vice versâ, or it may be amidships.
♦ Starboard the helm. Place the tiller so as to carry the rudder to port.
♦ Up with the helm. Place the tiller so as to carry the rudder to leeward. (See a-lee the helm.)