stern sheets

American  

plural noun

Nautical.

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

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stern sheets British  

plural noun

1. nautical the part of an open boat near the stern

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Etymology

Origin of stern sheets

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

Seated in the stern sheets were small King Victor Emmanuel and large Queen Elena of Italy, swathed in pearls.

From Time Magazine Archive

There came the Skipper’s boat, he in his shore-going white ducks and Panama hat in the stern sheets, his wallet in his hand.

From The Sea and the Jungle by Tomlinson, H. M. (Henry Major)

Her crew were hidden from view by a spare sail rigged as an awning over the stern sheets.

From The Airship "Golden Hind" by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

His services were needed to fight old England's enemies, and away he would go in the stern sheets of the press boat, bitter curses on his lips and irons on his wrists.

From Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812 by Barnes, James

Leaping into the stern sheets of a boat in attendance, Barcroft and Kirkwood were taken to the side of the "Hippodrome," where they gained the deck of the ship.

From Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. A story of the Great War by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)