It used to be common for the watch officer or pilot to give helm orders
in terms of a tiller... ie, to turn starboard, they'd order the helmsman
"put the helm to port." and vice versa.


Good god. WRONG!!!!
Titanic's wheel worked counter to today's wheels. Tiller logic prevailed for
quite a few years, even with wheels on large ships.
The wheel on Titanic had to be turned to PORT for a starboard course.

RB