ROBINET. An ancient military machine for throwing darts and stones; now
the name of some useful cocks in the steam-engine, as for gauge, brine,
trial, and steam-regulator.
ROCK. An extensive geological term, but limited in hydrographical
parlance to hard and solid masses of the earth's surface; when these
rise in insulated masses nearly to the surface of the sea, they render
navigation especially dangerous.--_Half-tide rock._ A rock which
appears above water at half-ebb.
ROCK-COD. A species of cod found on a rocky bottom.
ROCKET. The well-known pyrotechnical preparation, but modified to suit
various purposes. A cylindrical case charged with a fiercely burning
composition, the gases of which, rushing out from the after-end against
the resisting atmosphere, propel the whole forward at a rate continually
increasing, until the composition be expended. It is generally kept in
balance by a long light stick or tail attached. The case is made of
metal or paper, and variously headed to the amount of 32 lbs. if its
purpose be war (_see_ CONGREVE-ROCKETS); life-saving (by conveying a
line over a stranded vessel); even the killing of whales, when reduced
to 1, 2, or 3 lbs.; or, lastly, signals, for which it is fired straight
upwards.
ROCKET-BOAT. Flat-bottomed boats, fitted with rocket-frames to fire
Congreve rockets from, in naval bombardment.
ROCKET-BRIGADE. A body of horse-artillery assigned to rocket service.
ROCKET-FRAME. The stand from which Congreve rockets are fired.
ROCK-HIND. A large fish of tropical regions, _Serranus catus_.
ROCK-SCORPION. A name applied to persons born at Gibraltar.
ROD. The connecting and coupling bars of the steam-engine. (_See_
SOUNDING-ROD.)
RODD. A sort of cross-bow formerly in use in our navy.
RODDEN-FLEUK. A northern name for the turbot.
RODDING TIME. The season for fish-spawning.
RODE OF ALL. Improperly so written for _rowed of all_ (which see). The
order to throw in and boat the oars.
RODGERS' ANCHOR. The excellent small-palmed, very strong and
good-holding anchor. It is the result of many years' study and
experiment by Lieutenant Rodgers, R.N.
RODMAN GUN. One cast on the excellent method of Captain Rodman, formerly
of the United States Ordnance--viz. on a core artificially kept cool;
whereby the outer metal, cooling last, shrinks on to and compresses the
inner, instead of drawing outwards and weakening it, as it must do when
cooled first in a solid casting.