STERN-Post, a long straight piece of timber erected
on the extremity of the keel, to sustain the rudder and terminate the ship behind.
This piece, which is expressed by B in the pieces of the hull, Plate CCLXV. fig. 3. ought to be well secured and supported; because the ends of all the lower planks of the ship's bottom are fixed in a channel, cut on its surface; and the whole weight of the rudder is sustained by it.
The dimensions of the stern-post, or the proportional breadth and thickness in the different parts of its height, are geometrically delineated in the quarter and stern of a 74 gun ship, Plate CCLIV. fig. 1. and CCLXXVII. fig. 1. being expressed in both by AB. It is usually marked like the stern, with a scale of feet from the keel upwards, in order to ascertain the draught of water at that part of the vessel.
The difficulty of procuring a stern-post of sufficient breadth in one piece, has introduced the practice of fixing an additional piece behind it, which is strongly bolted to the former. The hinges, which support the rudder, are accordingly fixed to this latter, which is also tenanted into the keel, and denominated the back of the post. It is half the breadth of the stern-post at the keel, but diminishes gradually towards the upper end, where it is one-third narrower.
The stern-post is strongly attached to the keel by a knee, G, Plate CCLXV. fig. 3. of which one branch extends along the keel, being scarfed and bolted to the dead-wood, and fore-locked under the keel; whilst the other branch inclines upwards, and corresponds with the inside, or fore-part of the stern-post; to which it is also bolted in the same manner.