steering commands

What kind of measurements did they use for helm orders other than midships, hard-a-starboard and hard-a-port? Did they use degrees of rudder angle like on modern ships? I heard or read somewhere that they used the wheel spokes as a measure of how far over the helm was.

In September 2010, Lady Louise Patten, Second Officer Lightoller's granddaughter, released information that accused experienced sailors, First Officer Murdoch and Quartermaster Hichens, of making a fatal steering error and later deliberate negligence by continuing to sail after the collision...

Why do the officers ordered hard a starbord?I thought the berg was dead ahead!

All other titanic experts... As you all know, Murdoch ordered HARD-A-PORT right after the initial collision...we all know that if the center screw(propellor) was turning at a small speed not even excessing 20-35 revolutions that the turning of the ship would have been greatly affected..But...