Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Transliteration:
pedalion
Meaning:
neuter of a (presumed) derivative of πηδόν (the blade of an oar; from the same as 3976); a "pedal", i.e. helm
From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Acts 27:40. They committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands.
More correctly, the bands of the rudders; the word in the original being plural. Each ship had two rudders, or paddles, for steering, one on each quarter. The hinged rudder at the stern is comparatively a modern contrivance.