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

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

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)

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)

It now remained to be seen whether she would gather sternway before her sharp stem crashed into the other destroyer amidships.

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