Naut. [f. STERN sb.3 + POST sb.1] A more or less upright beam, rising from the after end of the keel and supporting the rudder.
1580. H. Smith, in Hakluyt’s Voy. (1599), I. 448. The William had her sterne post broken.
1627. Capt. Smith, Sea Gram., ii. 2. The Sterne post is another great timber, which is let into the keele … somewhat sloping.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. III. xxv. 107. The punishment … was to be nailed by the ear to the stern-post of a ship.
1805. Southey, Madoc, II. xxv. 11. They … Lay down the keel, the stern-post rear, and fix The strong-curved timbers.
1873. Act 36 & 37 Vict., c. 85 § 3. A scale of feet denoting her draught of water shall be marked on each side of her stem and of her stern post.
† b. jocularly. The buttocks. Obs.
1810. Naval Chron., XXIV. 369. Come, Sir, bring him … along; point your sword in his stern-post.
c. attrib., as sternpost-knee (= STERNSON), tub.
1845. J. Coulter, Adv. in Pacific, vii. 72. The other [end of the line] … is left hanging out of the sternpost tub.
1881. Hamersly, Nav. Encycl., Sternpost-knee.
