The steer-board was operated by the helmsman facing forward and, since most people are right-handed, he would naturally hold the steer-board in his right hand.

The modern day equivalent is a “tiller” or “rudder”. The term Port was derived from the practice of sailors mooring ships on the left side at ports in order to prevent the steering oar from being crushed.įrom the Longboat museum in Oslo it is learned that a Viking longboat was steered by a large wooden plank called a “steer board”. This meant that the steering oar (which had been broadened to provide better control) used to be affixed to the right side of the ship. However, like most of society, there were many more right-handed sailors than left-handed sailors. This oar was held by an oarsman located in the stern (back) of the ship. Before ships had rudders on their centrelines, they were steered by use of a specialized steering oar.