stern sheets

the after part of an open boat, occupied by the person in command or by passengers.

Origin of stern sheets

First recorded in 1475–85

The third person in the stern-sheets of the barge was Mr. Augustus Pelham.

Up The Baltic |Oliver Optic
Staunton, still guiding the canoe, raised Juanetta, and placed her back in the stern-sheets—she scarcely breathed.

The Cruise of the Frolic |W.H.G. Kingston
The Chief Mate clawed himself up to a kneeling position, and taking a sodden cap from the stern-sheets set feebly to work.

H.M.S. ---- |Klaxon
As the captain passed me to get into it he said, “Jump into the stern-sheets, Ralph; I may want you.”

The Coral Island |R.M. Ballantyne

As soon as the headway was nearly killed, the quarter-boat went into the water, with an officer in uniform in the stern-sheets.

Across India |Oliver Optic

stern sheets

nautical the part of an open boat near the stern