View source for Engineering:Bridge (nautical)

{{short description|Room or platform from which a ship can be commanded}}
{{redir|flying bridge|the civil engineering feature|flying arch}}
[[File:Bridge of Cargo Ship in Port Everglades.jpg | thumb |Navigational bridge of a cargo ship docked in Port Everglades, Florida]]
thumb|The interior of the bridge of the [[Research Vessel ''Sikuliaq'', docked in Ketchikan, Alaska]]
thumb|Wheelhouse on a [[tugboat, topped with a flying bridge]]

A '''bridge''', also known as a '''pilothouse''' or '''wheelhouse''', is a room or platform of a ship from which the ship can be commanded. When a ship is under way, the bridge is manned by an officer of the watch aided usually by an able seaman acting as a lookout. During critical maneuvers the captain will be on the bridge, often supported by an officer of the watch, an able seaman on the wheel and sometimes a [[Earth:Maritime pilot|pilot]], if required.

== History and etymology ==
thumb|The compass platform of a British destroyer in the [[Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War with central [[Engineering:Binnacle|binnacle]] and the voice tubes to belowdecks]]

There are many terms for parts of a ship with functions similar to a bridge. Depending upon the design and layout of a ship, some of these terms may be interchangeable.

Traditionally, [[Engineering:Sailing ship|sailing ship]]s were commanded from the [[Engineering:Quarterdeck|quarterdeck]], aft of the mainmast, where the [[Engineering:Ship's wheel|ship's wheel]] was located (as it was close to the [[Engineering:Rudder|rudder]]). A ''wheelhouse'' was a small enclosure around the [[Engineering:Ship's wheel|ship's wheel]] on the quarter deck of [[Engineering:Sailing ship|sailing ship]]s. On modern ships the ''wheelhouse'' or ''pilothouse'' refers to the bridge of smaller motor vessels, such as [[Engineering:Tugboat|tugs]].<ref name="Woodman" />

With the arrival of [[Engineering:Paddle steamer|paddle steamer]]s, engineers required a platform from which they could inspect the paddle wheels and where the captain's view would not be obstructed by the paddle houses. A raised walkway, literally a bridge, connecting the paddle houses was therefore provided. When the screw propeller superseded the paddle wheel, the term "bridge" survived.<ref name="Woodman" />

Traditionally, commands would be passed from the senior officer on the bridge to stations dispersed throughout the ship, where physical control of the ship was exercised, as technology did not exist for the remote control of steering or machinery. [[Engineering:Steering|Helm]] orders would be passed to an enclosed wheel house, where the coxswain or [[Engineering:Helmsman|helmsman]] operated the [[Engineering:Ship's wheel|ship's wheel]]. Engine commands would be relayed to the engine officer in the [[Engineering:Engine room|engine room]] by an [[Engineering:Engine order telegraph|engine order telegraph]] that displayed the captain's orders on a dial. The engine officer would ensure that the correct combination of steam pressure and engine revolutions were applied. Weatherproof pilot houses supplanted open bridges so that the pilot, who was traditionally the ship's navigating officer, could issue commands from shelter.<ref name="Woodman" />

[[Chemistry:Iron|Iron]], and later steel, ships also required a ''compass platform''. This was usually a tower, where a magnetic compass could be sited far away as possible from the ferrous interference of the hulk of the ship.

Many ships still have a ''flying bridge'', a platform atop the pilot house, open to weather, containing a [[Engineering:Binnacle|binnacle]] and [[Engineering:Speaking tube|voice tubes]] to allow the conning officer to direct the ship from a higher position during fair weather conditions.<ref name="Woodman" />

Larger [[Engineering:Warship|warship]]s may have ''navigation bridge'', which is used for the actual [[Engineering:Conn (nautical)|conning]] of the ship, and a separate ''admiral's bridge'' can be provided in [[Engineering:Flagship|flagship]]s, where the admiral can exercise control over the squadron of ships without interfering with the captain's command of the vessel. In older warships, a heavily armored [[Engineering:Conning tower|conning tower]] was often provided, where the vital command staff could be located under protection to ensure that the ship could be commanded under fire.<ref name="Warbridge" />

On a submarine, the bridge is the highest point on the [[Engineering:Conning tower|conning tower]], to provide for better visual navigation when on the surface.<ref name="Len" /> They became standard on United States Navy submarines after 1917, greatly improving the function of the vessels while at the surface.<ref name="Friedman1" />

== Configuration ==
thumb|upright|The [[RMS Queen Mary 2|RMS ''Queen Mary 2'', showing bridge with enclosed bridge wings that permit a view along both sides of the vessel]]

Modern advances in remote control equipment have seen progressive transfer of the actual control of the ship to the bridge. The wheel and [[Engineering:Throttle|throttle]]s can be operated directly from the bridge, controlling often-unmanned machinery spaces. Aboard modern warships, navigational command comes from the bridge, whereas electronically directed weapon systems are usually controlled from an interior compartment.<ref name="Warbridge" />

On a commercial vessel, the bridge will contain the [[Earth:Navigation system|equipment]] necessary to safely navigate a vessel on passage. Such equipment will vary with ship type, but generally includes a [[Engineering:GPS navigation device|GPS navigation device]], a [[Engineering:Navtex|Navtex]] receiver, an ECDIS or chart system, one or more [[Engineering:Radar|radar]]s, a communications system (including [[Distress signal|distress]] calling equipment), engine (telegraph) controls, a wheel/autopilot system, a magnetic compass (for redundancy and cross check capability) and light/sound signalling devices.<ref name="Macneil" />

=== Navigation station ===
thumb|Navigation station on a ship

The navigation station of a ship may be located on the bridge or in a separate chart room, nearby. It includes a table sized for [[Nautical chart|nautical chart]]s where calculations of [[Earth:Course (navigation)|course]] and location are made. The navigator plots the course to be followed by the ship on these charts.<ref name="Tracy" /> Besides the [[Engineering:Desk|desk]] and the navigation charts, the area contains [[Earth:Navigational instrument|navigational instrument]]s that may include [[Engineering:Electronics|electronic equipment]] for a [[Engineering:Global Positioning System|Global Positioning System]] receiver and chart display, fathometer, a [[Physics:Compass|compass]], a [[Engineering:Marine chronometer|marine chronometer]], two-way radios, and [[Engineering:Radiotelephone|radiotelephone]], etc.<ref name="Payne" />

=== Flying bridge ===
A flying bridge, also known as "monkey island",<ref>{{cite web |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Shilavadra |url=https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/what-is-monkey-island-on-ships/ |title=What is Monkey Island on Ships? |date=June 7, 2019 |website=Marine Insight |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Olsen |first=Alexander Arnfinn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yeA6zwEACAAJ |title=Introduction to Container Ship Operations and Onboard Safety |date=2022 |publisher=[[Company:Routledge|Routledge]] |page=96 |isbn=9781000544015 |access-date=23 February 2023}}</ref> is an open area on top of a surface ship that provides unobstructed views of the fore, aft, and the sides of a vessel.<ref name="Curley" /><ref name="Thompson" /> It serves as an operating station for the ship's officers, such as the captain or officer of the watch.<ref name="Thompson" />

Prior to World War II, virtually every [[Engineering:Sailing ship|sailing ship]], [[Engineering:Steamship|steamship]], [[Engineering:Monitor (warship)|monitor]], [[Engineering:Paddle steamer|paddle steamer]], or large pleasure ship had a flying bridge above the main bridge.<ref name="Thompson" /> Flying bridges were generally not enclosed at all (although sometimes they were partially enclosed), and often had little equipment—usually just a speaking tube or telephone to allow communication with the helmsman or wheelman on the main bridge.<ref name="Thompson" /> On military warships after 1914, the flying bridge was usually the station for the air defense officer and the gunnery officer.<ref name="Len" /> The amount of equipment on a flying bridge varies widely with the need of the captain. During World War II, for example, American [[Engineering:Submarine chaser|submarine chaser]] surface ships had a well-outfitted flying bridge which usually contained a [[Engineering:Pelorus (instrument)|pelorus]], signal lamps, [[Astronomy:Telescope|telescope]], and voice tube to permit the captain to command the ship.<ref name="Jones" /> U.S. Navy [[Engineering:Attack transport|attack transport]] ships could be outfitted with either 20mm or 40mm automatic cannons on their flying bridges.<ref name="Friedman" />

Flying bridges were almost always the highest bridge on the ship.<ref name="Curley" /> They were usually above the flag bridge.<ref name="Len" />

Since the 1980s, large pleasure craft may have a flying bridge<ref name="mBoat" /> toward the stern that is used as additional outdoor seating space and a place to store a [[Engineering:Luxury yacht tender|tender]].<ref name="Pilothouse" /> On the smallest surface vessels, such as a [[Engineering:Sport fishing boat|sport fishing boat]], the flying bridge may have controls permitting the ship to be piloted from the flying bridge, but will lack the full range of controls of the pilot house. On larger small vessels, the flying bridge may actually be enclosed, in which case it is more properly called an "upper pilot house" or "upper bridge".<ref name="Len" />

=== Flag bridge ===
Warships that were also [[Engineering:Flagship|flagships]] (had a flag officer onboard) sometimes contained a '''flag bridge'''. Also known as the "admiral's bridge", these were a bridge below the main bridge on a command warship where a high-ranking officer such as an admiral could conduct fleet operations, plan strategy, and conduct large battles.<ref name="Len" />

=== Bridge wing ===
thumb|The bridge wing of the {{MS|Amera|1988|6}} while in use

Some flying bridges have "bridge wings", open areas which thrust outward from the flying bridge over the sides of the vessel by approximately {{convert|10|to|15|ft|m}} to allow an officer to see the side of their ship while docking or working with smaller vessels.<ref name="Thompson" /> A bridge wing is a narrow walkway extending from both sides of a pilothouse to the full width of a ship or slightly beyond, to allow bridge personnel a full view to aid in the maneuvering of the ship.<ref name="SOLAS" /> Officers use bridge wings when [[Engineering:Dock (maritime)|dock]]ing or maneuvering in locks and narrow [[Earth:Waterway|waterway]]s. Each bridge wing may be equipped with a console controlling the bow thruster, stern thruster, rudder and engines.<ref name="House" />

== See also ==

* Cab (locomotive)
* [[Engineering:Cockpit (sailing)|Cockpit (sailing)]]
* [[Social:Command center|Command center]]
* Control room
* [[Engineering:Deck department|Deck department]]
* Engine department

== References ==

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Woodman">{{ cite book | last = Woodman | first = Richard | title = The History of the Ship: The Comprehensive story of seafaring from the earliest times to the present day | publisher = Bloomsbury Publishing | date = 2012 | pages = 352 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-XqcDAAAQBAJ&q=Evolution+of+%22ship%27s+bridge%22&pg=PT269 | isbn = 9781844862108 }}</ref>
<ref name="Warbridge">{{ citation | first1 = Iain | last1 = McLeod | first2 = Derek | last2 = Smeal | editor-last = Noyes | editor-first = Jan | editor2-last = Bransby | editor2-first = Matthew | contribution = Integrated platform management system design for future naval warships | title = People in Control: Human Factors in Control Room Design | series = Control, Robotics and Sensors Series | year = 2001 | pages = 315 | publisher = Institution of Electrical Engineers | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=exZed9bOhZUC&q=Warship+bridge+layout&pg=PA301 | isbn = 9780852969786 }}</ref>
<ref name="Macneil">{{ cite book |last=Macneil |first=Iain |date=2015 |title=21st Century Seamanship|location=Edinburgh |publisher=Witherby Publishing Group}}</ref>
<ref name="SOLAS">{{ citation | last = Maritime and Coastguard Agency (Great Britain) | title = Safety of Navigation: Implementing SOLAS | place = London | publisher = The Stationery Office | year = 2002 | chapter = V | pages = 214 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pJ7zt12U7h4C&q=Bridge+wing+ship&pg=PA52 | isbn = 9780115525759 }}</ref>
<ref name="House">{{ cite book | last = House | first = David | title = Ship Handling | publisher = Routledge | date = 2007 | location = London | pages = 288 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=99C9Wa_hGkAC&q=Bridge+wing+ship&pg=PA183 | isbn = 9781136366574 }}</ref>
<ref name="Tracy">{{ cite journal | last = Tracy | first = Jane | title = Summer editions | journal = Cruising World | volume = 15 | issue = 6 | pages = 89 | publisher = New York Times Company | location = Newport, Rhode Island | date = June 1989  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3dAmto9uXbIC&q=ship+%22navigation+station%22&pg=RA6-PA89 | issn = 0098-3519 | access-date = 2018-01-06 }}</ref>
<ref name="Payne">{{ cite book | last = Payne | first = John C | title = The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible | publisher = Sheridan House | series = Maintenance and Repair | date = 1998 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/marineelectrical00payn/page/420 420] | url = https://archive.org/details/marineelectrical00payn | url-access = registration | isbn = 9781574090604 }}</ref>
<ref name="Curley">Curley, Stephen J. ''The Ship That Would Not Die: USS Queens, SS Excambion, and USTS Texas Clipper.'' College Station, Tex.: Texas A&M University Press, 2011, p. 81.</ref>
<ref name="Thompson">Thompson, Mark L. ''Queen of the Lakes.'' Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1994, p. 123.</ref>
<ref name="Len">Lenfestey, Tom. ''The Sailor's Illustrated Dictionary.'' New York: Lyons Press, 2001, p. 173.</ref>
<ref name="Jones">Jones. H.G. ''The Sonarman's War: A Memoir of Submarine Chasing and Mine Sweeping in World War II.'' Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., 2010, p. 29.</ref>
<ref name="Friedman">Friedman, Norman. ''U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History.'' Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 2002, p. 39, 60.</ref>
<ref name="Friedman1">Friedman, Norman. ''U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History.'' Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1995, p. 35.</ref>
<ref name="mBoat">{{ cite web|date=2020-06-19|title=Flybridge|url=https://mboat.eu/flybridge/|website=mBoat.eu}}</ref>
<ref name="Pilothouse">{{ cite magazine | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=loVeTcgfrmEC&q=%22flying+bridge%22+monitor&pg=PA66 | title = Pilothouse Motoryacht | magazine = Boating | date = May 2006 | page = 66 | access-date = 19 May 2013}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==

* [http://galutschek.at/ships/navigational_bridges/ Video clips of (nautical) bridges aboard various ships]


[[Category:Marine propulsion]]

{{Sourceattribution|Bridge (nautical)}}