stern-wheel

[ sturn-hweel, -weel ]

adjective

1. propelled by a paddle wheel at the stern.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stern-wheel¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

After a mile I spot my destination: three stern-wheel paddle steamers abandoned on the gravel bank above the river.

From The Guardian

Those steamers were mainly of the light-draught, stern-wheel structure, which still characterises the Columbia River boats.

From Project Gutenberg

R. J. Morrison, R.N., and other sources.97.The writer has seen nearly the same thing practised on the flat-bottomed stern-wheel steamers common in some parts of America, where, in shallow water, the passengers have been required to walk to the other side of the vessel, and literally “tip” her on that side.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Curzon has been "prospecting" the Karun river, and came on board from the Shushan, a small stern-wheel steamer with a carrying capacity of 30 tons, a draught when empty of 18 inches, and when laden of from 24 to 36.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the Paran�, 1000 miles from the ocean, stands the port of Asunci�n, capital of Paraguay, accessible to ocean ships of shallow draught and to large river steamers: stern-wheel steamers can mount the Paraguay River 1000 miles farther to the remote Brazilian port of Cuyab�.

From Project Gutenberg