steerage

[ steer-ij ]

/ ˈstɪər ɪdʒ /

a part or division of a ship, formerly the part containing the steering apparatus.

(in a passenger ship) the part or accommodations allotted to the passengers who travel at the cheapest rate.

Origin of steerage

First recorded in 1400–50, steerage is from the late Middle English word sterage. See steer¹, -age

The airlines have indoctrinated us to accept a “steerage complex.”

Flying Coach Is the New Hell: How Airlines Engineer You Out of Room |Clive Irving |November 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
While the rough weather did not affect Helen, it did materially affect the women of the steerage.

In the Van; or, The Builders |John Price-Brown
He did not have $10 when he arrived—in fact, he went there in the steerage of one of the Government transports.

The Gold Diggings of Cape Horn |John R. Spears
They sold me the ticket as readily as if it were for the steerage and did not ask for my pedigree, only for my check.

On the Trail of The Immigrant |Edward A. Steiner

A number of steerage passengers were yelling and screaming and fighting to get to the boats.

Sinking of the Titanic |Various
Judge Enderby drew him aside as they approached the steerage rail.

Little Miss Grouch |Samuel Hopkins Adams

steerage

/ (ˈstɪərɪdʒ) /

the cheapest accommodation on a passenger ship, originally the compartments containing the steering apparatus

an instance or the practice of steering and the effect of this on a vessel or vehicle