R. In the muster-book means _run_, and is placed against those who have
deserted, or missed three musters.
R.A. _See_ RIGHT ASCENSION.
RABANET, OR RABINET. A small slender piece of ordnance, formerly used
for ships' barricadoes. It had a one-inch bore, which carried about a
half-pound ball.
RABBET, OR REBATE. An angular incision cut longitudinally in a piece of
timber, to receive the ends of a number of planks, to be securely
fastened therein. Thus the ends of the lower planks of a ship's bottom
terminate upon the stem afore, and on the stern-post abaft. The surface
of the garboard streak, whose edge is let into the keel, is in the same
manner level with the side of the keel at the extremities of the vessel.
They are therefore termed stem, stern, or keel rabbets.
RACE. Strong currents producing overfalls, dangerous to small craft.
They may be produced by narrow channels, crossing of tides, or uneven
bottoms. Such are the races of Portland, Alderney, &c. Also, a
mill-race, or tail-course.
RACE, TO. Applies to marking timber with the race-tool.
RACE-HORSE. (_Alca?_) A duck of the South Seas; thus named, says Cook,
for "the great swiftness with which they run on the water." Now called a
steamer.
RACK. The superior stratum of clouds, or that moving rapidly above the
scud. The line in which the clouds are driven by the wind, is called the
rack of the weather. In Shakspeare's beautiful thirty-third sonnet the
sun rises in splendour, but--
"Anon permits the basest clouds to ride
With ugly rack on his celestial face,
And from the forlorn world his visage hide,
Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace."
Also, a frame of timber containing several sheaves, as a fair leader.
Also, various rails for belaying pins.--_To rack._ To seize two ropes
together, with racking or cross-turns.
RACK-BAR. A billet of wood used for twisting the bight of a swifter
round, in order to bind a raft firmly together.
RACK-BLOCK. A range of sheaves cut in one piece of wood, for running
ropes to lead through.
RACK-HURRY. The tram-way on which coal-waggons run to a _hurry_.
RACKING. Spun-yarn or other stuff used to rack two parts of a rope
together.
RACKING A TACKLE OR LANIARD. The fastening two running parts together
with a seizing, so as to prevent it from rendering through the blocks.
RACKING-TURNS. _See_ NIPPERING.
RACK-RIDER. The name of the samlet in northern fisheries, so called
because it generally appears in bad weather.
RADDLE, TO. To interlace; as in making boats' gripes and flat gaskets.