steerageway

[ steer-ij-wey ]

/ ˈstɪər ɪdʒˌweɪ /

sufficient speed to permit a vessel to be maneuvered.

Origin of steerageway

First recorded in 1710–20; steerage + way¹

As the other approached, Harry shut off the power of the engines, checking them to little more than steerageway.

Boy Scouts in the North Sea |G. Harvey Ralphson
He held her nose up to the open sea, allowing her only steerageway, the gale slithering off her flattened sail.

The Skipper and the Skipped |Holman Day
There was not more than a capful of wind; but once let the canvas fill, and the schooner would get steerageway.

Sheila of Big Wreck Cove |James A. Cooper
Thus it lost headway sufficiently so that the seas caused it to drift back, without its coming about or losing all steerageway.

The Rival Campers Afloat |Ruel Perley Smith

She had no steerageway on her; and you might as well keep out of the storm.

The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat |Grace Brooks Hill

steerageway

/ (ˈstɪərɪdʒˌweɪ) /

nautical enough forward movement to allow a vessel to be steered