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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- GLOSSARY --

"CRUISER" STERNS

"Cruiser" sterns, which run in a curve upwards from a ship's after waterline, steadily superceded the earlier "counter" stern during the first several decades of the Twentieth Century. One advantage of this type of stern was that, at normal loads, the rudder was completely submerged. This was essential in warships, which might reasonably expect to be shot at, and was also useful in merchant vessels. Some "cruiser" sterns are nearly vertical in form, or even slightly forward-raking, while others (including the ones shown here) extend somewhat aft of the waterline.

This page features a definition of the term "cruiser" stern, with appropriate illustrations.


Examples of "cruiser" sterns:

"CRUISER" STERN, as seen on S.S. Julia Luckenbach, circa 1917-1918.
The ship is high in the water, exposing her rudder.

Cropped from Photo # NH 101434.

 
"CRUISER" STERN, as seen on the transport Sol Navis (ID # 4031-A) in 1919.
The ship is relatively light (note her waterline paint), but is low enough to put nearly all of her rudder below the surface.

Cropped from Photo # NH 44465.

 


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Page made 17 March 2007