A Catalogue of Useless Facts

Navigation Bridge

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Navigation Bridge
- etymology / history / technology -

​​The term "bridge" (referring to the navigation deck of a ship) dates back to the introduction of steam-powered vessels -- particularly ones with paddle propulsion. Early paddle steamers were typically designed with their propulsion wheels located mid-ship rather than at the aft. While previous ships were usually commanded from the rear of the ship -- due to limitations of the steering mechanisms -- this was not an option with the bulky paddle-wheels obstructing the view. Instead, paddle steamer captains ran their ships from a raised bridge between the paddle houses. Even after paddle steamers fell out of common use, the nomenclature of a ship's "bridge" persisted.

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Sources ▼

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_(nautical)