This area is the portion of the main deck known as the Steering Flat. This area contains the steam powered steering engine, several storerooms, a machine shop, the refridgeration machinery for the pantry, fueling connections, and a ladder to the grease flat below. Just forward of the steering flat is the engine room.
In the first image (top or left) is a view of the steering flat looking aft from the starboard side. Some items in the photo from left to right are: drill press, steam powered steering engine, refridgeration equipment, and the ladder up to the spar deck.
The second image (bottom or right) is a view of the steering flat looking toward the center of the vessel from the port side. Some items in the photo from left to right are: Aft exit, refridgeration equipment, and the ladder down to the greese flat.
Also located here are the fueling locations for loading bunker "C" fuel oil onto the Mather.