sternway

American  

[sturn-wey] / ˈstɜrnˌweɪ /

noun

1. Nautical. the movement of a vessel backward, or stern foremost.

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sternway British  

/ ˈstɜːnˌweɪ /

noun

1. nautical movement of a vessel sternforemost

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Etymology

Origin of sternway

First recorded in 1760–70; stern ² + way ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Denny said, “Craziest thing I’ve ever seen, sir. Hardly enough wind to make sternway, and the waves are pounding us to pieces.”

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

Then the ship would become unmanageable and drift away, with the possibility of getting excessive sternway on her and so damaging rudder or propeller, the Achilles’ heel of a ship in pack-ice.

From South: the story of Shackleton's 1914-1917 expedition by Shackleton, Ernest Henry, Sir

He stopped his ship, and then backed water, making sternway to the Hartford, so as to stop her also.

From Hero Tales from American History by Roosevelt, Theodore

It saved him; for a bell clanged in the engine-room, and the tug began to make sternway.

From Dan Merrithew by McFall, J. V.

With a sickening jerk, as if the little craft were parting amidships, the patrol-boat stopped and gathered sternway.

From With Beatty off Jutland A Romance of the Great Sea Fight by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)