Why Do Modern Military Ships Have Ships Wheels?

Modern military ships, often equipped with advanced automated and electronic navigation systems, still retain the traditional ships wheel. Despite technological advancements, the ships wheel remains an integral part of naval operations for several reasons.

Human Control: In critical situations such as combat or heavy weather conditions, the tactile and intuitive nature of the ships wheel ensures direct human control. This direct input can be crucial for immediate and precise maneuvering, especially in urgent scenarios.

Redundancy: Modern naval vessels typically possess multiple systems for steering and navigation. The ships wheel acts as a robust backup to these electronic systems. If there's a failure in the electronic navigation system, the wheel can be used to continue maneuvering the ship safely and effectively.

Training and Familiarity: The traditional ships wheel is a long-standing element in naval operations. Retaining this feature helps in training new personnel and ensuring familiarity with basic seamanship skills. These skills are crucial for overall maritime operations and safety.

Tradition and Heritage: The ships wheel is a symbol of maritime tradition and heritage. Many navies value the historical and cultural significance associated with traditional ship handling. This can foster a sense of pride and continuity among the crew.

Operational Flexibility: In specific scenarios like working in narrow channels or during complex maneuvers, the physical act of turning a wheel may offer more precise control compared to automated systems. This manual control can be advantageous in challenging situations.

Warship Resilience and Backup Systems

Warships are designed to withstand significant damage and continue their mission. Naval vessels often have multiple fallback options in case primary systems fail. These fallbacks include:

Manual steering: Crew can communicate with the steering gear room and operate the rudder manually with hydraulic assistance. Engine adjustments: The screw RPM can still be managed from a watch at the engine room, ensuring the ship can still maintain its course.

Despite these advanced backup systems, the ships wheel remains a critical tool for effective ship handling in various situations.

Historically, most military ships were equipped with large, solid brass wheels. Even in World War II, the LCI Portland Museum Ship carried a small version of this traditional wheel. Over time, the navigation team might have opted for a spoked steering wheel for practical reasons.

In modern times, the Arleigh Burke class destroyers have integrated a more modern steering wheel, reminiscent of car steering wheels but half the size. The top picture is the helm unit from the USS Frank Cable, while the lower one is from a typical Arleigh Burke destroyer (DDG).