CONN

The Conn, A Brief History of the Term

The wheel of a ship is a relatively modern method of adjusting the angle of the rudder, or “Conning”. By changing the rudder’s direction in relation to the flow of the water under the ship’s keel the Conn, Wheelman, or Helmsman changed the direction of the boat or ship. It was also called the helm, together with the rest of the steering mechanism (including the knotted conning line, which was connected between the wheel and the rudder of a ship. This was later replaced by chains as advances in metallurgy made this possible. Coupled with the fragile nature of using rope for this function, the conning line was completely removed from ships within a century of the rudder chain’s introduction.)

Helmsmen on older ships steer using a tiller (a long stick) fixed directly to the rudder, or a whip staff (a vertical stick acting on the tiller). Early ship’s wheels were operated to correspond to the motion of the tiller, with a clockwise motion (corresponding to a right tiller motion) turning the rudder and thus the ship to the left. Eventually the control direction of the wheel was reversed to make it more consistent with the action of a motor vehicle's steering wheel.

(Interestingly enough, the Vikings had their Tillers on the right side of their longboats and called them steer boards. It is directly from this influence that we get the term starboard, or right side of a ship, indication upon which side the steer board was located.)

The modern wheel is typically connected to a mechanical or hydraulic system.

In naval parlance, the Conn Officer was the Helmsman or wheelman directly responsible for the handling of the ship’s wheel. These men had a very difficult job, considering the average ship’s wheel weighed akin to 500 pounds of more on most early sailing ships.

Originally the term 'to take the Conn' was an order for the wheelman to assume control of the wheel, and thus the navigation of a vessel. Later the term Conn was used to describe any person directly related to the handling of a ship’s course and heading. This was liberally applied to pilots, wheelmen, and junior officers whose primary duties were directly related to the handling of the wheel or navigating the ship. Later the term was applied to any officer who was authorized to give orders to the wheelman to change the Conn status of the ship, i.e.. the ship’s direction of travel.

Primarily European navies used this term during the age of sail. To change the command of the wheel officer, one "turned over the Conn" to them and the relieving officer would "take the Conn." Originally only the Captain, First Mate and Navigator were rated to order changes to the course of the vessel. That later changed as pilots became employed by European Navies as specialists. Eventually they became the first officers considered true Helmsmen. Traditionally, they did not manhandle the ship's wheel, instead ordering lesser crew to the task, which was quiet demanding due to the limited mechanical assistance that the original systems offered. Instead they were the officers directly responsible for the orders given to the wheelmen of the ship. By the middle of the Age of Sail, the position was unique on most European Naval vessels and was completely reserved only for seasoned junior officers, commonly they were considered the Second Officer of the vessel. In modern Navies, especially submarine fleets, the position is held by a Chief Operations Officer, or Dive Master, whose primary responsibility is to direct the vessel's movements safely as the Captain requires.

To change course, the order was given to “Conn the ship” to a particular heading or to change the Conn of the ship by a set number of degrees as indicated by the Navigator or Captain.

The Aft castle of medieval ships was often called the Conning deck, referring to the location of the ship’s wheel, where the conning of the ship would take place.

Remnants of this term can still be seen in the modern submarine’s “conning tower” and the order to assume a ship’s wheel “as taking the Conn.” In more modern Parlance, "taking the Conn" more readily refers to assuming the command and responsibility for the vessel, thus indicating that you are assuming responsibility for the vessel’s course and heading.

Beginning in the early years of the Industrial Revolution, as the structure, capability and design of ships changed, and especially with the addition of mechanical components; such as steam valves, gauges and other equipment, the Conning deck was enclosed and became known as the wheel house, or bridge of a ship.

In the Star Trek universe, the term Conn is used to refer to the control of the ship as well as the navigation and/or helm station located on the bridge. The Conn Officer is the Helmsman and is directly responsible for piloting the starship. He is part of the Operations Branch, more specifically Flight Operations.

by Daniel Greene, with a small amount of editing by herbalsheila