STEERAGE

steerage. Steerage, n. the act of steering, care, part of a ship

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Steer″age (stēr″ā̍j ; 48), n. 1. 1. The act or practice of steering, or directing; as, the steerage of a ship.
He left the city, and, in a most tempestuous season, forsook the helm and steerage of the commonwealth. Milton. 2. 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. 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.
3. 3. Direction; regulation; management; guidance.
He that hath the steerage of my course. Shak. 4. 4. That by which a course is directed.
Here he hung on high, The steerage of his wings. Dryden. Steerage passenger, a passenger who takes passage in the steerage of a vessel.