New London, CT
The US Coast Guard barque Eagle is 295 feet long. I guess you can't steer a ship of that length with only one helm. This was only one of two "helm stations" I found while taking my self guided tour. This one is located amidships. There is also a single-wheeled helm located aft.
In heavy weather I'm sure it takes many hands to man the wheel. A ship this size must have huge pressures on the rudder. The mid-ship location keeps helmsmen from being washed overboard.
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