Thanks to the tillerman, this post, long enough gestated, gets published. Over two months ago I posted about wheels, and if you look at the last foto in that post of Cornell‘s wheel sans projecting spokes, you’ll understand what modifications are made to protect the helmsman’s face/teeth during quick maneuvers associated with docking assists.
Scroll thru to nautical etymologies here to “tiller” to see the crossbow connection. Sorry, not alphabetical. While looking there, is there a difference in usage today between scow and barge?
Most assuredly the helmsman on Rosemary Ruth is handling a tiller. Read the saga of Orbitlog here.
Note the tiller/rudderpost connection here. Scroll down for the rest of the vessel.
Here’s the front section driven by that tiller/prop farther above. No mast? Why the low freeboard? Come back tomorrow. The two fotos immediately above were taken in southern Long Island.
Btw, happy thanksgiving. And thanks for reading the blog.
Photos, WVD.
tugster: a waterblog 
3 comments
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November 21, 2007 at 8:02 pm
jim
That last boat of which you have 2 pictures is most certainly a clam boat used for tonging. They always have the very low freeboard which makes the tonging easier. I would bet that the boat operated on Great South Bay which was my home waters growing up. Back in the 60s there were still a good number of boats like this operating. The young clammers bull raked with garveys. The older clammers tonged with boats like the one in oyur photos.
November 22, 2007 at 1:39 pm
mageb
Just wanted to say again how much I appreciate your posts. I’m just back from vacation, so I know I will enjoy reading all the posts I missed while we were training up north. May you and yours have a Happy Thanksgiving.
November 26, 2007 at 2:36 pm
David
Real men keep a firm grip on their tillers! And ye’ may lay to that!