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The whipstaff is a component of the steering system of a medium to larger-sized ship in the time before the introduction of wheel-steering. It is a pole that is operated by the helmsman to move the helm (tiller), thereby moving the rudder and steering the ship. The whipstaff acts as a simple lever at low angles of helm deflection and more as a push rod at larger angles (similar to the operation of a modern racing dinghy's tiller extension). A helmsman using a whipstaff is positioned a deck above the helm – this raised position gives some visibility of the sails and contact with the officer commanding the ship, but there may be no good view of the horizon.

The whipstaff was superseded by wheel steering in the 18th century. There has been substantial discussion of the reasons for this change, including why it took so long to happen. The date of the introduction of the whipstaff, towards the end of the Middle Ages, is unknown. The only complete survival of this steering system is in the recovered wreck of Vasa, which sank in 1628. Otherwise, only a few fragments have been recovered from a small number of wrecks. Complete examples survive on wrecks in deep water, but these are difficult to investigate as the steering system is largely hidden below decks.

With the helm amidships (not applying any steering force to the ship) the whipstaff is aligned vertically

Components

The whipstaff acts on the helm (or tiller). The whipstaff is a pole which passes through the rowle, a bearing set in the deck on which the person steering stands. The lower end of the whipstaff fits over the end of the helm. In some systems, a metal gooseneck is fitted to the helm so that the connection to the whipstaff is further away from the rowle. This allows the helm to be at a higher level, so giving more usable space in the gunroom. The helm is supported on a sweep, a beam that takes the weight of the helm.

Maximum helm angle.

Hutch

Characteristics

Earlier maritime historians had presumed that the whipstaff had limited effectiveness, for instance believing that ships of this era had to be steered with their sails. As knowledge has developed, experience with replica ships fitted with this system and detailed study, particularly of the arrangement on Vasa, has shown this to be an erroneous view.

Replica ships have shown that ample control is provided by the whipstaff. Compared with wheel steering, the person on the helm has a good level of feel of the rudder and always knows the helm angle that has been applied. Predicted high loads on the system at large rudder deflections turn out not to be a practical problem.

Visibility from the steering position is an issue. On Vasa a long low step was provided for the helmsman, an addition that had every evidence of being an afterthought needed to give a better sightline. On the Kalmar Nyckel replica, the sails are not sufficiently visible, a problem attributed to a design error in the modern version. For a warship, there are perceived advantages in having the helmsman in an enclosed space with only a minimal view – this reduces the change of them being hit by enemy fire.

Further reading

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Notes for Opium clipper

Lubbock, the Opium Clippers
Pg14-16 The Country Wallahs (the ships, I think) Names of some of the ships and mention of their great age
pg 16- designs of Opium Clippers. Most Opium Clippers built on the banks of the Hooghly (Calcutta - check!!) Two types, copying Red Rover (clipper) or Sylph (1831 ship). The schooner Syed Khan influenced Calcutta built clippers - she was an ex-slave on Baltimore clipper lines.
pg 17 Bombay dockyard: brig Lady Grant
. Some were built on lines of the fruit schooner Time. Also former yachts, other ex-slavers, the old fruiter Hellas, some London built clippers, and one Jardine Matheson brig, Lanrick that was built on the Mersea. Hall of Aberdeen built several schooners, notably Torrington, White of Cowes built several yacht-like schooners to the East. pg 18 3 actually built in China. New York pilot boat types were used, about 6 Boston built clippers and a few ex-men of war - e.g. HMS Pelorus (1808)