sternson Naut.
(ˈstɜːnsən)
[An English formation from stern n.3 on the analogy of kelson, keelson. For the second element -son, see the etymological note s.v. kelson.
Falconer Dict. Marine (1769–1815) explains and uses stemson, but does not recognize sternson as a term for the sternpost knee.]
In a wooden vessel, the knee-shaped timber fitted into the angle formed by the junction of stern-post and kelson in order to secure the joint.
| 1846 A. Young Naut. Dict. 322 Sternson, or Stern knee, a piece of compass timber forming a continuation of a vessel's keelson, and extending over the deadwood to the stern-post, which is secured to it by bolts. c 1860 H. Stuart Seaman's Catech. 66 The ‘sternson’, or ‘inner post’..bears the same relation to the stern post that the stemson does the stem. |
b. sternson-knee (in the same sense).
| 1849 Longfellow Build. Ship 178 Stemson and keelson and sternson-knee. |