Conn (nautical)

The conn, also spelled con, cun, conne, cond, conde, and cund, is the status of being in control of a ship's movements while at sea. The following quote summarizes the use of the term: "Conn" is also a verb describing the act of controlling a ship.

Within the U.S. Coast Guard, Shipyard and U.S. Navy, the captain of a vessel typically selects a junior officer to perform the role of conning for him or her. Such an individual has the title of "officer of the deck" (abbreviated OOD) or "the conning officer" while on duty, and he or she will stand watches at four-hour intervals carrying out the captain's commands.{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VGTUbJuQyUYC&dq=conn+ship&pg=PA49

It is from this term that the concept of a conning tower, an elevated platform from which a conning officer can view all aspects of a ship's movement, is derived.

The naval term "conn" may derive from the Middle English conne (study, become acquainted with) or the French conduire via the Latin conducere (conduct). Though the origin of the term is not entirely clear, the term is most frequently used as a transitive verb, i.e., to "conn" (therefore conduct) a ship.{{Cite book |editor1-last=Burchfield |editor1-first=R.W.

References