A rudder (1) for ships with a swivellable rudder blade (2) and a fin (3) hinged thereon as well as with a fin control device (S) having control elements which is placed outside the rudder blade (2) in bearing vicinity between a hull (6) and the rudder blade (2), it is provided that protecting guiding elements (L) are fixed to a ship part laterally from the control elements for the protection of the fin control against external influences such as pressure, stroke and impact shock.