Ship's Wheel
As the size of boat increases, the force needed to control the rudder via a tiller becomes excessive. Since the Middle Ages a ship's wheel has been used to turn the tiller on larger ships. A use of such a wheel allows the helmsman to exert greater control over the movement of the rudder with less physical effort. This was initially achieved through the use of a series of cables, ropes, or chains that ran through sheaves and attach the wheel and its steering gear to the tiller which was often moved below deck. Eventually the use of steam power allowed sturdier metal gears to replace the cables and ropes.
In modern boats emergency tillers are often carried in case the steering wheel on a vessel fails to operate.
Read more about this topic: Tiller
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