Keelson

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 kellson is any structural member used to strengthen the hull or support any heavy weight.^[2]

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.

• "keelson". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
• Cutler, Deborah W. and Thomas J. Cutler (2005). Dictionary of Naval Terms. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. ISBN 978-1-59114-150-1.