Electrical steering of ships

Uninterrupted, sensitive, and immediately responsive steering control on shipboard is of utmost importance to safe navigation. Most American-built ships have employed steamengine drive or electrohydraulic gear operated by telemotor control for turning the rudder because of its relatively simple operation and construction. World War II saw the United States utilize electrical steering with complex relay and contactor circuits. The AEG Ward Leonard system described here has been used extensively abroad where marine designers and operators have held strong aversion to power contactor switches and relay controls in steering equipment.