However, the cable parted after "Audacious"s steering gear failed. At the aft end of the steering gear compartment was a transverse bulkhead. Steering was power assisted, recirculating ball with variable steering gear ratio. The deck above the steering gear and rudders was thick. At the aft end of the steering gear compartment would have been a transverse bulkhead. The gear box is combined into one block with a planetary steering gear. This formed the basis for the Saginaw Steering Gear Division, created in 1928. There was no protective deck, only a deck above the steering gear. A mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the steering gear is retained in EPS. The deck over the machinery spaces and steering gear had a thickness of 1.5 inches. The stern torpedo compartment was shared with the steering gear. Stern armor was kept at to protect the steering gear. The freighter's radio room and steering gear were destroyed. A quicker 17&colon;1 steering gear was also used. A new engine and steering gear provide better mobility and manoevrability.