RAISING A PURCHASE. The act of disposing certain machines, so that, by
their mutual effects, they may produce sufficient force to overcome the
weight or resistance of the object to which this machinery is applied.
RAKE. The projection of the upper parts of a ship, at both ends, beyond
the extremities of the keel. Also, the deviation of the masts from the
_vertical line of position_, reckoned from the keel forward or aft.
RAKING. Cannonading a ship, so that the shot shall range in the
direction of her whole length between decks, called a raking fire; and
is similar to military enfilading.
RAKISH. Said of a ship when she has the appearance of force and fast
sailing.
RALLYING SQUARE. That formed by skirmishers or dispersed troops when
suddenly menaced by cavalry, each man as he runs in successively placing
himself with his back close against those already formed.
RAM. A long spar, iron-hooped at the ends, used for driving out blocks
from beneath a vessel's keel, and for driving planks an end while only
wedged to the ship's side. Also, a new rating in the navy. (_See_
STEAM-RAM.)
RAMBADE. The elevated platform built across the prow of a galley, for
boarding, &c.
RAMED. The state of a ship on the stocks, when all the frames are set
upon the keel, the stem and stern-post put up, and the whole adjusted by
the ram-line.
RAM-HEAD. An old word for halliard-block.
RAM HOME, TO. To drive home the ammunition in a gun.
RAMMER. A cylindrical block of wood nearly fitting the bore of a cannon,
and fastened on a wooden staff; used in loading to drive home the charge
of a cannon.
RAMP. An oblique or sloping interior road to mount the _terreplein_ of
the rampart.
RAMPART. An artificial embankment surrounding a fortified place, capable
of covering the buildings from view, and of resisting the cannon of an
enemy. Generally having a parapet on its top, and a wall for its front.
RAMPER-EEL. A name of the _lamprey_, _Petromyzon marinus_.
RAM-REEL. Synonymous with _bull-dance_.
RAMROD. In muzzle-loading, is the implement used in charging a piece, to
drive home the powder and shot.
RAMSHACKLE. Out of repair and ungainly; disorderly.
RAN. Yarns coiled on a spun-yarn winch.
RANCE. The strut or support of a Congreve rocket.
RANDAN. A mode of rowing with alternate long and short oars.
RANDOM SHOT. A shot, or _coup perdu_, made when the muzzle is highly
elevated; the utmost range may be at an angle of 45 deg., which is
supposed to carry about ten times as far as the point blank; but
improved gunnery has now put the term out of use.
RANGE. Placed in a line or row; a term hydrographically applied to
hills, as "the coast-range." Also, _galley-range_, or fire-grate.
RANGE, TO. To sail in a parallel direction, and near to; as "we ranged
the coast;" "the enemy came ranging up alongside of us."
RANGE-HEADS. The _windlass-bitts_ (which see).
RANGE OF A GUN. The horizontal distance which it will send a shot, at a
stated elevation, to the point of its first graze. Also, a place where
gun-practice is carried on. Also, a _level range_ implies the gun lying
horizontal. The various positions between this and 45 deg. are called
_intermediate ranges_.
RANGE OF CABLE. A sufficient quantity of cable left slack to allow the
anchor to reach the ground before the cable is checked by the double
turns round the bitts, the object being to let the anchor hook the
bottom quickly, and to prevent the heavy shock which would be caused if
its weight were suddenly brought upon the bitts.
RANGES, HORNED. Pieces of timber containing belaying pins, inside a
ship. Also, pieces of oak placed round the hatchways to contain shot.
RANK. Degree of dignity; officers of the navy rank with those of the
army according to the following table:--
1. The Admirals of the Fleet rank with Field-marshals.
2. Admirals " Generals.
3. Vice-admirals " Lieutenant-generals.
4. Rear-admirals " Major-generals.
5. Captains of the Fleet }
6. Commodores } " Brigadier-generals.
7. Captains of 3 years " Colonels.
8. Captains under 3 years " Lieutenant-colonels.
9. Commanders next to Do.
10. Lieutenants, 8 years rank with Majors.
11. Lieutenants, under 8 years " Captains.
12. Sub-lieutenants " Lieutenants.
13. Midshipmen " Ensigns.
Also, the order or straight line made by men drawn up side by side.
RANK AND FILE. This word includes corporals as well as privates, all
below sergeants. (_See_ FILE.)
RANSACK, TO. To pillage; but to ransack the hold is merely to overhaul
its contents.
RANSOM. Money paid for the liberty of a war-prisoner, a city, or for the
restoration of a captured vessel: formerly much practised at sea. It
then fell into disuse, but was revived for a time in the seventeenth
century. At length the greater maritime powers prohibited the offering
or accepting such ransoms. By English law, all such securities shall be
absolutely void; and he who enters into any such contract shall forfeit
L500 on conviction. A privateer taking ransom forfeits her letters of
marque, and her commander is punishable with a heavy penalty and
imprisonment.
RAPER. An old term for a rope-maker.
RAP-FULL. Applies to a ship on a wind, when "keep her rap-full!" means,
do not come too close to the wind, or lift a wrinkle of the sail.
RAPID. A slope, down which water runs with more than ordinary rapidity,
but not enough to be called a "fall;" and sometimes navigable by boats.
RAPPAREE. A smuggler, or one who lives on forced hospitality.
RASE. An archaism for a channel of the sea, and not a mispronunciation
of _race_ (which see).
RASEE. A line-of-battle ship with her upper works taken off, or reduced
a deck, to lighten her; some of the old contract-built ships of the
line, yclept "Forty Thieves," were thus converted into heavy frigates,
as the _Duncan_, _America_, _Warspite_, &c.
RASH. A disease which attacks trees that have ceased to grow.
RASING. Marking timber by the _rasing-knife_, which has a peculiar blade
hooked at its point, as well as a centre-pin to describe circles.
RASING-IRON. A tool for clearing the pitch and oakum out of the seams,
previous to their being caulked afresh.
RAT. A term for one who changes his party for interest: from rats
deserting vessels about to sink. These mischievous vermin are said to
have increased after the economical expulsion of cats from our
dockyards. Thus, in the petition from the ships-in-ordinary, to be
allowed to go to sea, even to carry passengers, we read:--
"Tho' it was hemigrants or sodgers--
Anything afore them rats,
Which now they is our only lodgers;
For well they knows, the artful dodgers,
The Board won't stand th' expense of cats."
Injury done by rats is not included in a policy of insurance. Also, a
rapid stream or race, derived from sharp rocks beneath, which injure the
cable.
RATCHER. An old term for a rock.
RATCHET. A saw-toothed wheel in machinery, as the winch, windlass, &c.,
in which the paul catches.
RATE. A tariff or customs roll. Also, the six orders into which the
ships of war were divided in the navy, according to their force and
magnitude. Thus the _first rate_ comprehended all ships of 110 guns and
upwards, having 42-pounders on the lower deck, diminishing to 6-pounders
on the quarter-deck and forecastle. They were manned with 850 to 875
men, including officers, seamen, marines, servants, &c.--_Second rate._
Ships carrying from 90 to 100 guns.--_Third rate._ Ships from 80 to 84
guns.--_Fourth rate._ Ships from 60 to 74 guns; these were comprehended
under the general names of frigates, and never appeared in the line of
battle.--_Fifth rate._ Mounting from 32 to 40, or even 60 guns.--And
_Sixth rate_. Mounting from any number, or no guns, if commanded by
captains; those commanded by commanders were deemed sloops. Since the
late introduction of massive iron, a captain may command but one gun.
RATE A CHRONOMETER, TO. To determine its daily gaining or losing rate on
mean time.
RATED SHIP. Synonymous with _post-ship_ in former times; the term _ship_
alone now infers that it is a captain's command, whilst _sloop_ means a
commander's.
RATH. A Gaelic term in use for _raft_--a timber raft; it is also an
ancient earthen fort.
RATING. The station a person holds on the ship's books.
RATION. Each man's daily allowance of provisions; including, in the
army, fuel and forage to man and horse.
RATIONAL HORIZON. _See_ HORIZON.
RATLINES, OR RATLINGS. Small lines which traverse the shrouds of a ship
(at distances of 15 or 16 inches) horizontally from the deck upwards,
and are made firm by jamming clove-hitches; they form a series of steps,
like the rounds of a ladder.
RAT'S-TAIL. The tapering end of a rope. Also, the round tapered file for
enlarging holes in metal.
RATTAN [Malay, _rotan_]. One of the genus _Calamus_, used for
wicker-work, seats of chairs, &c. In the eastern seas they constitute
the chief cables, even to 42 inches circumference, infinitely stronger
than hemp, light, and not easily chafed by rocks; very useful also to
seamen for brooms, hoops, hanks for sails, &c.
RATTLE DOWN RIGGING, TO; OR, TO RATTLE THE SHROUDS. To fix the ratlines
in a line parallel to the vessel's set on the water.
RAUN. An old Manx term for a seal. In the north it implies the roe of
salmon, used as a bait.
RAUNER. A northern term for the female salmon, as having the raun or
roe.
RAVE-HOOK. In ship carpentry, a hooked iron tool used when enlarging the
butts for receiving a sufficient quantity of oakum.
RAVELIN. In fortification, an outwork consisting of two long faces
meeting in a salient angle, covering the curtain, and, generally, the
shoulders of the bastions; it affords a powerful defence to the ground
in front of the latter, which may rarely be approached till after the
fall of the ravelin.
RAVINE. A deep chasm through which the rains are carried off elevated
lands.
RAY. A line of sight. Also, a flat rhomboidal fish with a rough skin;
genus, _Raia_.
RAZE, TO. To level or demolish (applicable to works or buildings).
RAZED. Fortifications are said to be razed when totally demolished.
RAZOR-BACK. The fin-whale (_Balaenoptera_), so called from its prominent
dorsal fin. It usually attains the length of 70 feet.
RAZOR-BILL. A sea-fowl allied to the auks, _Alca torda_.
REACH, OR RATCH. A straight part of a navigable river; the distance
between any two elbows on the banks, wherein the current flows in
uninterrupted course.
REACHING. Sometimes used for standing off and on: a vessel is also said
to be on a reach, when she is sailing by the wind upon any tack. A
vessel also _reaches_ ahead of her adversary.
READY ABOUT! OR READY OH! The order to prepare for tacking, each man to
his station. (_See_ ABOUT.)
READY WITH THE LEAD! A caution when the vessel is luffed up to deaden
her way, followed by "heave."
REAL. A silver coin of Spain, value 5_d._ sterling. One-eighth of a
dollar.
REALILLO. A small Spanish silver coin, value half a real.
REAM OR REEM OUT, TO. To enlarge the bore of a cannon with a special
tool, so that it may take a larger projectile.
REAMING. Fishing vessels shifting their quarters while fishing. This
word is often used for _reeming_ (which see).
REAR. An epithet for anything situated behind another, as the hindmost
portion of a fleet or army. (_See_ DIVISION.) To _rear_ an object in
view, is to _rise_ or approach it.
REAR-ADMIRAL. The officer in command of the third division of a fleet,
whose flag is at the mizen.
REAR-GUARD. That part of the army which brings up and protects the rear.
REARING. The upper-works tumbling home, or being wall-sided.
REAR-RANK. The last rank of a body of men drawn up in simple line.
REAR-SHIP. The sternmost ship of a fleet.
RE-ASSEMBLE. To gather together a fleet, or convoy, after having been
scattered.
REASTY. Rancid or rusty pork or butter, &c.
REAVEL, OR RAFFLE. To entangle; to knot confusedly together.
REBALLING. The catching of eels with earth-worms attached to a ball of
lead suspended by a string from a pole.
REBATE. _See_ DISCOUNT.
REBATES. The grooves formed on each side of the keel, stem, or
stern-post, to receive the planks. (_See_ RABBET.)
REBELS. Revolters and mutineers; in admiralty law the same as enemies.
RECEIVERS OF DROITS OF ADMIRALTY. Now termed _receivers of wreck_ (which
see).
RECEIVERS OF WRECK. Persons specially charged with wrecked property for
the benefit of the shipping interests.
RECEIVING-SHIP. At any port, to receive supernumerary seamen, or entered
or impressed men for the royal navy.
RECIPROCATE. The alternate motion balancing a steam-engine.
RECIPROCITY. The enlarging or contracting particular admiralty statutes,
to meet the usages of foreign powers.
RECKONING, SHIP'S. The ship's position resulting from the courses
steered, and distances run by log, brought up from the last astronomical
observations. If unaccompanied by corrections for longitude by
chronometer, and for latitude, it is termed only the dead-reckoning.
RECOIL. The running in of a gun when discharged, which backward motion
is caused by the force of the fire.
RECONNAISSANCE. A word adopted from the French, as meaning a military or
nautical examination of a place.
RECONNOITRING. Sailing within gun-shot of an enemy's port to ascertain
his strength and capabilities for offence and defence. Also, a rapid
examination of coasts and countries, for correcting the defects of many
previous maps and charts.
RECREANT. This term was for him who had yielded in single combat.
RECTA PRISA REGIS. In law, the sovereign's right to prisage, or one pipe
of wine before, and another behind the masts, as customary in every
cargo of wine.
RECTIFIER. An instrument used for determining the variation of the
compass, in order to rectify the ship's course, &c. It consists of two
circles, either laid upon or let into one another, and so fastened
together in their centres that they represent two compasses, the one
fixed, the other movable; each is divided into 32 points of the compass,
and 360 deg., and numbered both ways from the north and the south, ending
at the east and west in 90 deg. The fixed compass represents the horizon,
in which the north and all the other points are liable to variation.
REDAN. The simplest form of regular fortification, consisting of two
faces meeting in a salient angle; generally applied in connection with
other works.
REDD. The spawn of fish. Also, the burrow scooped out by salmon in which
to deposit their ova.
REDD-FISH. A northern general term for fishes in the spawning state, but
particularly applied to salmon.
REDEMPTIONER. One who purchases his release from obligation to the
master of a ship, by his services; or one whose services are sold to pay
the expenses of his passage to America or elsewhere.
REDHIBITION. An action to annul or set aside a contract of sale.
RED-HOT BALLS. Shot made red-hot in a furnace, and in that state
discharged at the enemy. The loading is managed with wet wads.
REDOUBT. An inclosed work, differing from a fort, in that its parts do
not flank one another.
RED PINE. _Pinus rubra_, the red spruce; the timber of which is
preferred throughout the United States for yards, and imported for that
purpose into Liverpool from Nova Scotia.
REDUCE, TO. To degrade to a lower rank; or to shorten the allowance of
water or provisions.
REDUCE A CHARGE, TO. To diminish the contents of a cartridge, sometimes
requisite during heavy firing.
REDUCE A PLACE, TO. To compel its commander to surrender, or vacate it
by capitulation.
REDUCTION OF CELESTIAL OBSERVATIONS. The process of calculation, by
which observations are rendered subservient to utility.
REEF. A certain portion of a sail comprehended between the head of a
sail and any of the reef-bands. The intention of each reef is to reduce
the sail in proportion to the increase of the wind; there are also reefs
parallel to the foot or bottom of large sails, extended upon
booms.--_Close-reefed_ is when all the reefs of the top-sails are taken
in.--_Reef_ is also a group or continuous chain of rocks, sufficiently
near the surface of the water to occasion its breaking over them. (_See_
FRINGING REEFS and BARRIER REEFS.)
REEF-BAND. A narrow band of canvas sewed on the reef-line to support the
strain of the reef-points. It is pierced with eyelet-holes, through
which the points are passed each way with a running eye.
REEF-CRINGLES. _See_ CRINGLE.
REEF-EARINGS. _See_ EARINGS.
REEFED TOP-MAST. When a top-mast is sprung in or near the cap, the lower
piece is cut off, and a new fid-hole cut, by which the mast is reefed or
shortened.
REEFERS. A familiar term for midshipmen, because they have to attend in
the tops during the operation of taking in reefs.
REEF-KNOT. Is one in which the ends fall always in a line with the outer
parts; in fact, two loops, easy to untie, never jamming. That with the
second tie across, is termed a granny's knot.
REEF-LINE. Casual aids in bad weather to help the men at the earings.
When the vessel was going free, and the sail could not be "spilled," the
men were, if blowing hard, often aided by passing the studding-sail
halyards loosely round the sail, clewed up spirally from yard-arm to
bunt.
REEF-PENDANT. A rope going through a cringle in the after-leech of a
boom main-sail, and through a check sheave-hole in the boom, with a
tackle attached to its end to bowse the after-leech down to the boom by
which the sail is held reefed. On the lower yards it is a pendant for a
similar purpose as the reef-tackle.
REEF-POINTS. Small flat pieces of plaited cordage or soft rope, tapering
from the middle towards each end, whose length is nearly double the
circumference of the yard, and used for the purpose of tying up the
sail in the act of reefing; they are made fast by their eyes on each
side of the eyelet-holes.
REEF-TACKLES, are indeed pendants and tackles. The pendant is rove
through the sister-block, then a sheave in the yard-arm, and secured to
a strong cringle beneath the close reef, sometimes through a block, and
the end secured to the yard-arm. Within the sister-block it becomes a
gun-tackle purchase, with the fall leading on deck. The reef-tackles are
hauled out, and the other aids complete, before the men are sent aloft.
REEF-TACKLE SPAN. Two cringles in the bolt-rope, about a couple of feet
apart, when a block is used.
REELS. Well-known wheels moving round an axis, and serving to wind
various lines upon, as the log-reel for the log-line, deep-sea reel
(which contains the deep-sea line, amounting to 150 or 200 fathoms),
spun-yarn reel, &c. "She went 10 knots off the reel"--_i.e._ by the
log-line.
REEMING. A term used by caulkers for opening the seams of the plank with
reeming-irons, that the oakum may be more readily admitted. This may be
a corruption of _rimer_, for opening circular holes in metal.
REEMING-BEETLE. A caulker's largest mallet.
REEMING-IRON. The larger iron used by caulkers in opening the seams.
RE-ENTERING ANGLE. In fortification, is an angle whose vertex points
inward, or towards the place.
REEVE, TO. To pass the end of a rope through any cavity or aperture, as
the channel of a block; to _unreeve_ is the opposite.
REEVING. In polar voyaging, following up serpentine channels in the ice,
till the vessel reaches open water, or _reeves the pack_.
REFITTING. Repairing any damages which a ship may have sustained.
REFLECTING CIRCLE. An instrument used instead of a sextant, quintant, or
quadrant; but the quintant embraces as much--viz. 152 degrees. The
instrument reflects a celestial or any distant object so as to bring the
image into contact with any object seen direct, by which their angular
distance is measured, as in lunar distances.
REFLECTION, ANGLE OF. Whether the instance be a ray of light or a
cannon-ball, the angle of reflection will always be found equal to the
angle of incidence.
REFLUX. The ebbing of the tide, or reflow of the waters, which have been
pressed back.
REFORMADES. The sons of the nobility and gentry who served in the navy
under letters from Charles II., and were allowed table-money and other
encouragements to raise the character of the service.
REFRACTING TELESCOPE. That through which objects are seen directly
through its double object-glass.
REFRACTION. An inflection of the rays of light: that property of the
atmosphere which bends the rays of light in their passage to the eye
from a different density, and causes the altitude of heavenly bodies to
appear greater than it really is, especially near the horizon. (_See_
TERRESTRIAL REFRACTION.)
REFUSAL OF A PILE. Its stoppage or obstruction, when it cannot be driven
further in.
REGAL FISHES. In statute law, these are whales and sturgeons.
REGARDERS. Inspectors of the felling of timber.
REGATTA. A rowing-match formerly peculiar to the republic of Venice; but
now the term is applied to yacht and boat races in general.
REGIMENT. A body of men commanded by a colonel, complete in its own
organization, and divided into companies of infantry or troops of
cavalry.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS. Such as the commanding officer may deem it necessary
to issue for the discipline of the regiment.
REGIMENTALS. The regulation dress for the individuals of a regiment.
REGIMENTAL STAFF-OFFICERS. The surgeon, adjutant, paymaster,
assistant-surgeon, and quarter-master of each regiment.
REGION. Any large tract of land or water on the earth's surface, having
some feature common to every part of itself, and different from what
exists elsewhere; as northern, southern, or intertropical region;
mountainous region; region of perpetual congelation, &c.
REGISTER. A purchaser has no title to a ship, either at law or in
equity, unless he be mentioned in the register. If a vessel, not duly
registered, exercise any of the privileges of a British ship, she is
liable to forfeiture.
REGISTER ANEW. When any registered ship is so altered as not to
correspond with the "particulars" relating to the description in her
register-book, either a new certificate of registry, or an official
indorsement of the old one, is necessary.
REGISTER OF VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT. Not responsible for money transmitted
under proper precautions, and in the usual course of business, but
afterwards lost by the failure of the consignee.
REGISTER SHIP. A Spanish plate-ship or galleon.
REGISTRY OF SEAMEN. A record of merchant seamen kept by the
registrar-general of seamen.
REGNI POPULI. An old law-term given to the people of Surrey and Sussex,
and on the sea-coasts of Hampshire.
REGULATOR. A name for the governor of a steam-engine. Also, a
valve-cock. The _regulator_ of a clock is the shortening or lengthening
pendulum or escapement.
REGULUS. {a} Leonis; the principal star in the old constellation Leo.
REIGNING WINDS. The prevalent winds on any particular coast or region.
(_See_ WIND.)
REIN. A crack or vein in a musket-barrel.
REINFORCE, TO. To strengthen a fleet, squadron, army, or detachment, by
additional means and munitions.
REINFORCE. In artillery, that increase, beyond its general conical
outline, of the metal towards the breech, which was marked on old
pattern guns by rings. They are generally in cast guns omitted now,
though the principle of the reinforce remains, yet less defined in
nature and number, in the recent wrought and built-up guns.
RE-INSURANCE. To insure the same property a second time by other
underwriters. If an underwriter find that he has incautiously bound
himself to a greater amount than he can discharge, he may shift it, or
part of it, from himself to others, by a re-insurance policy made on the
same risk.
REIS. Small coins of Portugal, of which 4800 go to the moidore.
RELIEF. The change of watches. Also, the person relieving a particular
station. Also, a fresh detachment of troops, ordered to replace those
already on duty. In fortification, the total height of the crest of the
parapet above the bottom of the ditch.
RELIEVE, TO. To put fresh men or ships upon a stipulated duty.
RELIEVING TACKLES. Those which are occasionally hooked to the tiller, in
order to steer by in bad weather or in action, when any accident has
happened to the wheel or tiller-rope.
REMA, OR REUME. The tide.
REMAIN. The quantity of stores left on charge for survey, after a
voyage.
REMARK-BOOK. This contains hydrographical observations of every port
visited, and is sent annually to the admiralty, together with any
charts, plans, or views which have been taken. Often a very dull
miscellany, though kept by intelligent masters.
REMBERGE. A long narrow rowing vessel of war, formerly used by the
English. Its name is derived from _remo_ and _barca_, and it seems to
have been the precursor of the Deal luggers.
REMBLAI. The mass of earth requisite for the construction of the
rampart. An embankment.
REMORA. The _sucker-fish_. It has a long oval plate on the top of the
head, by which, having exhausted the air in it, it clings to a ship's
bottom, to the sides of a shark, or to turtle.
REMOVAL FROM THE LIST. Dismission, or dropping an officer out of the
service.
RENDERING. The act of yielding to any force applied. For instance, the
rope of a laniard or tackle is said to render when, by pulling upon one
part, each other part takes its share of the strain. Any rope, hawser,
or cable is "rendered" by easing it round the bitts, particularly in
riding with a strain to freshen the nip.
RENDEZVOUS. The port or place of destination where the several ships of
a fleet are appointed to join company.
REPEATING FIRE-ARM. One by which a number of charges, previously
inserted, may be fired off in rapid succession, or after various pauses.
The principle is very old, but the effective working of it is new.
REPEAT SIGNALS, TO. Is to make the same signal exhibited by the admiral,
in order to its being more readily distinguished at a distance, or
through smoke, &c. Frigates and small vessels out of the line were
deemed repeating ships, and enforced signals by guns. The _repeat_ from
a superior intended to convey rebuke for inattention, is usually
accompanied by one gun, or several.
REPLENISH, TO. To obtain supplies of water and provisions up to the
original amount.
REPORT OF GUARD. The document rendered in by the guard-boat, of every
vessel boarded during her hours of duty, with their arrivals, sailings,
and other occurrences.
REPORT OF SURVEY. The opinion of surveys officially signed by surveying
officers.
REPORT ONE'S SELF, TO. When an officer returns on board from duty, or
from leave of absence.
REPRESENTATION. A collateral statement of such facts not inserted on the
policy of insurance, as may give the underwriters a just estimate of the
risk of the adventure. (_See_ WARRANTY.)
REPRIMAND. A formal reproof for error or misconduct, conveyed sometimes
publicly, sometimes confidentially, sometimes by sentence of
court-martial, or on the judgment, mature or otherwise, of a superior.
REPRISAL. The taking one thing in satisfaction for another, as the
seizing of ships and goods for injury inflicted; a right exerted, though
no actual war be commenced. It is authorized by the law of nations if
justice has been solemnly called for and denied. The word is synonymous
with _marque_ in our admiralty courts.
REPRISE, OR REPRISAL. Is the retaking a vessel from the enemy before she
has arrived in any neutral or hostile port. If a vessel thus retaken has
been 24 hours in the possession of an enemy, she is deemed a lawful
recapture; but if within that time, she is merely _detenu_, and must be
wholly restored to the owner. An amount of salvage is sometimes awarded
to the re-captors. Also, if a vessel has from any cause been abandoned
by the enemy, before he has taken her into any port, she is to be
restored to the original proprietor. (_See_ SALVAGE.)
REQUISITION. An official demand for stores, &c.
RESCUE. Any vessel recovered by the insurrection of prisoners on board
of her, or by her being forced by stress of weather into our ports, she
is restored on _salvage_. There is no rule prescribed by the law of
England in the case of foreign property rescued; with British subjects
the court usually adopts the proportion of recapture. In respect to
foreigners the only guide is that of "quantum meruit."
RESERVE. A portion drawn out from the main body, and stationed in the
rear for a special object.
RE-SHIP. To ship again, or ship goods that have been imported or
conveyed by water.
RESIDENT. A British subject residing in an enemy's country may trade
generally with the natives, but not in contraband.
RESISTING MEDIUM. An assumed thin ethereal fluid, which, from the
retardation of Encke's comet, may be supposed to pervade the planetary
space--perhaps the _spiritus subtilissimus_ of Newton--in virtue of
which periodical comets seem to have their velocity diminished, and
their orbits contracted at every revolution.
RESOLVE, TO. To reduce a traverse, or day's work, to its exact limits.
RESOURCE. Expedient. A good seaman is ever a man of resources.
RESPONDENTIA. A loan made upon goods laden in a ship, for which the
borrower is personally responsible; differing therein from bottomry,
where the ship and tackle are liable. In bottomry the lender runs no
risk, though the goods should be lost; and upon respondentia the lender
must be paid his principal and interest, though the ship perish,
provided the goods be safe.
RESPONSIBILITY. Often a wholesome restraint; but the bugbear of an
inefficient officer.
REST. A pole with an iron fork at the top for the support of the old
heavy musket.
RET, TO. To soak in water, as in seasoning timber, hemp, &c.
RETINUE. Applied strictly to the admiral's suite or followers, though it
means an accompanying train in general.
RETIRE. The old war-term for retreat. Thus Shakspeare makes Richard
Plantagenet exclaim--
"Ne'er may he live to see a sunshine day,
That cries Retire, if Warwick bid him stay."
RETIRED LIST. A roll whereon deserving officers are placed whose health,
age, or want of interest justifies their retirement from active service.
RETIRED PAY. A graduated pension for retired officers; but the term is
nearly synonymous with _half pay_.
RETRACTUS AQUAE. An old law-term for the ebb or return of tide.
RETREAT. The order in which a fleet or squadron declines engagement. Or
the retrograde movement of any body of men who retire from a hostile
force. Also, that beat of drum about sunset which orders the guards and
piquets to take up their night duties.
RETRENCHMENT. A defence with a ditch and breast-work behind another post
or defence, whereby the besieger, on forcing the original work, is
confronted by a fresh one.
RETROGRADATION. An apparent motion of the planets contrary to the order
of the signs, and to their orbital march. The arc of retrogradation is
the angular distance thus apparently traversed. Mars may be watched as
an instance.
RETROGRADE MOTION. _See_ MOTION.
RETURN. A ship on a return voyage is not generally liable; but if she
sailed on the outward voyage under false papers, the liability to
confiscation continues.
RETURN A SALUTE, TO. Admirals are saluted, but return two guns less for
each rank that the saluting officer is below the admiral.
RETURNS. All the various reports and statements required by officers in
command to be made periodically. (_See_ SUPPLIES AND RETURNS.)
REVEILLE. The beat of drum at break of day, when night duties cease.
REVENUE. In cases of revenue proceedings, the law harshly provides that
the _onus probandi_ is to be on the claimant, however injured.
REVENUE-CUTTERS. Sharp-built single-masted vessels armed, for the
purpose of preventing smuggling, and enforcing the custom-house
regulations. They are usually styled _revenue-cruisers_.
REVERSE. A change; a vicissitude. Also, the flank at the other extremity
from the pivot of a division is termed the reverse flank.
REVETMENT. A sloping wall of brick-work, or any other attainable
material, supporting the outer face of the rampart, and lining the side
of the ditch.
REVIEW. The inspection of a fleet or army, or of any body of men under
arms.
REVOLUTION, TIME OF. In relation to a planet or comet, this is the time
occupied in completing a circuit round the sun, and is synonymous with
_periodic time_.
RHE. A very old word signifying an overflow of water.
RHILAND-ROD. A Dutch measure of 12 English feet, formerly in use with
us: it is more properly _Rhine-land rod_.
RHODIAN LAWS. A maritime code, asserted, but without sufficient proof,
to be the basis of the Roman sea-laws. The code published by Leunclavius
and others, as a body of Rhodian laws, is a mere forgery of modern
times.
RHODINGS. The brass cleats on which the axles of the pumps work.
RHOMBOID. An oblique parallelogram, having its opposite sides equal and
parallel, but its angles not right angles.
RHOMBUS. A lozenge-shaped figure, having four equal sides, but its
angles not right angles.
RHUMB, OR RHOMB. A vertical circle of any given place, or the
intersection of a part of such a circle with the horizon. Rhumbs,
therefore, coincide with points of the world, or of the horizon; and
hence seamen distinguish the rhumbs by the same names as the points and
winds, as marked on the fly or card of the compass. The _rhumb-line_,
therefore, is a line prolonged from any point of the compass in a
nautical chart, except the four cardinal points; or it is a line which a
ship, keeping in the same collateral point or rhumb, describes
throughout its whole course.
RHYDAL [from the Celtic _rhydle_]. A ford or channel joining lakes or
broad waters.
RIBADOQUIN. A powerful cross-bow for throwing long darts. Also, an old
piece of ordnance throwing a ball of one or two pounds.
RIBBANDS. In naval architecture, long narrow flexible pieces of fir
nailed upon the outside of the ribs, from the stem to the stern-post of
a ship, so as to encompass the body lengthways, and hold the timbers
together while in frame.
RIBBING-NAILS. Similar to deck-nails, but not so fine; they have large
round heads with rings, so as to prevent their heads from splitting the
timbers, or being drawn through.
RIBBONS. The painted mouldings along a ship's side. Also, the tatters of
a sail in blowing away.
RIBS. The frame timbers which rise from the bottom to the top of a
ship's hull: the hull being as the body, the keel as the backbone, and
the planking as the skin.
RIBS AND TRUCKS. Used figuratively for fragments.
RIBS OF A PARREL. An old species of parrel having alternate ribs and
bull's-eyes; the ribs were pieces of wood, each about one foot in
length, having two holes in them through which the two parts of the
parrel-rope are reeved with a bull's-eye between; the inner smooth edge
of the rib rests against, and slides readily up and down, the mast.
RICKERS. Lengths of stout poles cut up for the purpose of stowing flax,
hemp, and the like. Spars supplied for boats' masts and yards, boat-hook
staves, &c.
RICOCHET. The bound of a shot. _Ricochet fire_, that whereby, a less
charge and a greater elevation being used, the shot or shell is made to
just clear a parapet, and bound along the interior of a work.
RIDDLE. A sort of weir in rivers.--_To riddle._ To fire through and
through a vessel, and reduce her to a sieve-like condition.
RIDE, TO. To ride at anchor. A vessel rides easily, apeak, athwart, head
to wind, out a gale, open hawse, to the tide, to the wind, &c. A rope
rides, as when round the capstan or windlass the strain part overlies
and jams the preceding turn.--_To ride between wind and tide._ Said of a
ship at anchor when she is acted upon by wind and tide from different
directions, and takes up a position which is the result of both forces.
RIDEAU. A rising ground running along a plain, nearly parallel to the
works of a place, and therefore prejudicial.
RIDERS. Timbers laid as required, reaching from the keelson to the
orlop-beams, to bind a ship and give additional strength. They are
variously termed, as _lower futtock-riders_ and _middle futtock-riders_.
When a vessel is weak, or has broken her floors or timbers, riders are
introduced to secure the ship, and enable her to reach a port where she
can be properly repaired. Stringers are also used, but these run
horizontally.--_Riders_ are also upper tiers of casks, or any stowed
above the ground tier in the hold.
RIDING A PORT-LAST. With lower yards on the gunwales.
RIDING-BITTS. Those to which the cable is made fast.
RIDING-DOWN. The act of the men who throw their weight on the head of a
sail to stretch it. Also, of the man who comes down a stay, &c., to tar
it; or foots the bunt in.
RIDGE. Hydrographically means a long narrow stretch of shingle or rocks,
near the surface of the sea, (_See_ REEF and SHALLOWS.) Geographically,
the intersection of two opposite slopes, or a range of hills, or the
highest line of mountains.
RIDGE-ROPES, are of various kinds. Thus the centre-rope of an awning,
and those along the rigging to which it is stretched, the man-ropes to
the bowsprit, safety lines from gun to gun in bad weather--all obtain
this name.
RIFE. An old provincial term for a salt-water pond.
RIFLED ORDNANCE. That which is provided with spiral grooves in the
interior of the bore, to give rotatory motion to the projectile, thereby
much increasing its accuracy of flight, and permitting the use of
elongated shot and shell.
RIFLE-PIT. Cover hastily thrown up by one or two skirmishers, but
contributing, when a line of them is joined together, to form works
sometimes of much importance.
RIG. Colloquially, mischievous frolic not carried to excess.
RIG, TO. To fit the shrouds, stays, braces, and running-rigging to their
respective masts, yards, and sails. Colloquially, it means to
dress.--_To rig in a boom_, is to draw it in.--_To rig out a boom_, is
to run it out from a yard, in order to extend the foot of a sail upon
it, as with studding-sail booms, &c.
RIGEL. {b} _Orionis_, one of the bright stars in Orion.
RIGGED. Completely equipped.
RIGGERS. Men employed on board ships to fit the standing and running
rigging, or to dismantle them. The riggers in the naval yards, who rig
ships previous to their being commissioned, are under the
master-attendant, and perform all anchor, mooring, and harbour duties
also.
RIGGING. A general name given to all the ropes or chains employed to
support the masts, and arrange the sails according to the direction of
the wind. Those are termed "standing" which are comparative fixtures,
and support the masts, &c.; and those "running," which are in constant
use, to trim the yards, and make or shorten sail, &c.
RIGGING-LOFT. A long room or gallery in a dockyard, where rigging is
fitted by stretching, serving, splicing, seizing, &c., to be in
readiness for the ship.
RIGGING-MATS. Those which are seized upon a vessel's standing rigging,
to prevent its being chafed.
RIGGING OUT. A term for outfitting. Also, a word used familiarly to
express clothing of ship or tar.
RIGGING-STOPPER. _See_ STOPPER OF THE CABLE.
RIGHT. As to direction, fully or directly; thus, right ahead, or right
away, &c.
RIGHT ANGLE. An angle formed by a line rising or falling perpendicularly
upon another, and measuring 90 deg., or the quadrant of a circle.
RIGHT-ANGLED TRIANGLE. That which has one right angle.
RIGHT ASCENSION. An arc of the equator between the first point of Aries,
and the hour circle which passes through any planet or star; or that
point of the equinoctial, which comes to the meridian with any heavenly
object, and is therefore similar to terrestrial longitude.
RIGHT ATHWART. Square, or at right angles with the keel.
RIGHT AWAY! It is a habit of seamen answering when a sail is discovered
from the mast-head; "Right away on the beam, sir," or "on the bow," &c.
RIGHT-HAND ROPE. That which is laid up and twisted with the sun, that is
to the right hand; the term is opposed to _water-laid rope_, which is
left-handed.
RIGHTING. The act of a ship recovering her upright position after she
has been laid upon a careen, which is effected by casting loose the
careening tackles, and, if necessary, heaving upon the relieving
tackles. A ship is also said _to right_ at sea, when she rises with her
masts erect, after having been listed over on one side by grounding, or
force of wind.
RIGHT THE HELM! The order to put it amidships, that is, in a line with
the keel.
RIGHT ON END. In a continuous line; as the masts should be.
RIGHT SAILING. Running a course on one of the four cardinal points, so
as to alter only a ship's latitude, or longitude.
RIGHT UP AND DOWN. Said in a dead calm, when the wind is no way at all.
Or, in anchor work, when the cable is in that condition, the boatswain
calls, "Up and down, sir," whereupon "Thick and dry (nippers) for
weighing" are ordered.
RIGHT WAY. When the ship's head casts in the desired direction. Also,
when she swings clear at single anchor.
RIGHT WHALE. A name applied to the whale with a very large head and no
dorsal fin, which yields the whalebone and train-oil of commerce, in
opposition to the fin-backs or rorquals, which are scarcely worth
catching. There are several species found both in the Arctic and
Southern seas, but never within the tropics.
RIG OF A SHIP. The disposition of the masts, cut of sails, &c., whether
square or fore-and-aft rigs. In fact, the rig denotes the character of
the vessel.
RIG THE CAPSTAN, TO. To fix the bars in the drumhead in readiness for
heaving; not forgetting to pin and swift. (_See_ CAPSTAN.)
RIG THE GRATINGS. Prepare them for punishment.
RILE. An old corruption of _rail_. To ruffle the temper; to vex.
RILL. A very small run of fresh water, less than a rivulet.