A ship's wheel or wheel is a standard steering mechanism primarily utilized on larger seafaring vessels. It is a circular, often wooden, instrument designed with a central hub, encircled by handles known as spokes. The wheel is positioned horizontally and pivots around an axial point. This axle is connected to the rudder of the ship through a complex system of ropes, pulleys, or cables, which are collectively known as the ship's steering gear. The helmsman manipulates the wheel, and in doing so, controls the direction of the ship's rudder, ultimately dictating the course of the vessel. Turning the wheel clockwise, or to the starboard, moves the rudder to the right, which in turn steers the vessel to the right and vice versa. Hence, it plays a crucial role in nautical navigation.

1. The captain directed his first mate to take control of the ship's wheel as they navigated through the treacherous storm. 2. The wheel on the old pirate ship was adorned with carvings of mermaids and sea creatures, inspiring stories of the vessel's past adventures. 3. During my first sailing lesson, the instructor guided my hands to the ship's wheel, explaining how turning it to the left or right could control the direction of the boat. 4. As part of the ship's preservation for museum display, the wheel was carefully restored, reinforcing its connection to the rudder and making it fully operational again. 5. Standing at the ship's wheel of the luxury yacht, the sailor felt a sense of power as he navigated through the turquoise waters, with the movement of the rudder responding smoothly to every small turn.

The ship's wheel is not as old as you might think. While sailing vessels have been around for thousands of years, the ship's wheel as a steering device has only been in existence since the 18th century. Before that, ships were steered using a device known as a whipstaff, or a tiller, which was basically a large wooden lever attached directly to the rudder. This transformation in technology significantly improved maritime navigation and made seafaring voyages safer and more efficient. Despite its relatively recent inception, the ship's wheel has since become one of the most identifiable symbols of seafaring and navigation.