Keelson

For the community, see Kelson, New Zealand.

The keelson or kelson is a reinforcing structural member on top of the keel in the hull of a vessel.^[1] Originally used on wooden ships, in modern usage a keelson is any structural member used to strengthen the hull or support any heavy weight.^[2]

Kelson marked with 17

In part V of “Song of Myself”, American poet Walt Whitman uses the phrase: “And that a kelson of the creation is love;” to imply that love is akin to a keelson, or backbone, that supports humanity.