Naut. Also steeler. [The same word as prec.: cf. STEAL v.1 7.] (See quots.)
1805. Shipwright’s Vade-M., 201. It is therefore customary to work, in the bow of such ships, a steeler next under the wale.
1815. Falconer’s Dict. Marine (ed. Burney), Steeler, in ship-building, the foremost or aftmost plank in a strake, which is dropped short of the stem or stern-post.
1852. J. Fincham, Ship Building, II. (ed. 3), 26. These planks are called steelers.
1874. Thearle, Nav. Archit., 50. The last plank of the strake which does not extend right forward or aft, as the case may be, is termed a ‘stealer.’
