Not all Helms are Wheels... a helm can also be a "Tiller".
So I guess when people say "Take the Helm"... it is rather the "Steering Position" rather than the actual device to steer by.
Pretty certain I've heard references watching Star Trek about "Taking the Helm"... and there isn't a wheel or indeed a tiller in sight.
That all said... I'd call it whatever you like.
@galactic-geek It’s called the wheel because that’s the term for that particular form of helm. Helm is a general term for the steering mechanism of a boat.
@entspeak said in Why *the Wheel*?:
@galactic-geek It’s called the wheel because that’s the term for that particular form of helm. Helm is a general term for the steering mechanism of a boat.
Why not just use the term anyways, and allow for more variety of boats/ships in the future, that might not necessarily have a wheel then?
@galactic-geek Well, when they add a ship without a wheel, then they can call that ship part what it is. Why do you think they’d do otherwise? You, the player, can say, “Take the helm” to your hearts content. I know I do. Doesn’t make that particular ship equipment any less the wheel. Why not call it the anchor instead of the capstan so that they can incorporate other types of anchoring systems? I’m sorry, but this just feels like you’re trying to justify your misunderstanding at this point. The ship’s wheel is appropriately named, because it actually is the ship’s wheel.
