Coal-trade. [Var. of STEVEN v., STEEM v.3] trans. (See quot. 1903.)
1898. Westm. Gaz., 2 April, 1/3. Several contracts for boats stemmed on Admiralty orders were cancelled this morning.
1903. Pitman’s Business Man’s Guide, 409. To stem a vessel means to load her, or arrange to load her, with coals, within a certain time.
1908. Paasch, Keel to Truck, 732. Stem, to (a vessel). Term frequently used when booking a vessel for a turn in a dock, dry-dock, etc.
