n. 1. The act or practice of steering, or directing; as, the steerage of a ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

He left the city, and, in a most tempestuous season, forsook the helm and steerage of the commonwealth. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) (a) The effect of the helm on a ship; the manner in which an individual ship is affected by the helm. (b) The hinder part of a vessel; the stern. [ R. ] Swift. (c) Properly, the space in the after part of a vessel, under the cabin, but used generally to indicate any part of a vessel having the poorest accommodations and occupied by passengers paying the lowest rate of fare. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Direction; regulation; management; guidance. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that hath the steerage of my course. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That by which a course is directed. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Here he hung on high,
The steerage of his wings. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Steerage passenger, a passenger who takes passage in the steerage of a vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A rate of motion through the water sufficient to render a vessel governable by the helm. [ 1913 Webster ]