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

See Examples For:

sternway

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

The brig giving a broad sheer came sweeping round, gradually lost her way; then feeling the wind aloft, gathered sternway.

From The Ruined Cities of Zululand by Walmsley, Hugh Mulleneux

The chief asks for the engines to be stopped; sternway is putting purchase on the binding pressure of the rudder.

From Merchantmen-at-arms : the British merchants' service in the war by Bone, David W. (David William)

Though his vessel had been headed steadily northeast for more than thirty hours, the observation showed that she had made twenty-eight miles sternway to the southwest.

From The Best Short Stories of 1917 and the Yearbook of the American Short Story by O'Brien, Edward J. (Edward Joseph Harrington)

But the pause between the checking of the Chih’ Yuen’s sternway and her gathering speed ahead would have been fatal had it not been for Drake.

From A Chinese Command A Story of Adventure in Eastern Seas by Webb, Archibald