_The Meaning of "Race" in Ship-building._--In Hawkin's _Voyages_ ("Hakluyt
Society, 1847"), p. 199., he says, "Here is offerred to speak of a point
much canvassed amongst carpenters and sea-captains, diversely maintained
but yet undetermined, that is, whether the _race_, or loftie built shippe,
bee best for the merchant;" and again, p. 219.: "A third and last cause of
the losse of sundry of our men, most worthy of note for all captains,
owners, and carpenters, was the _race_ building of our ship, the onely
fault she had," &c. Can any of your correspondents explain what is meant by
"race"; the editor of the _Voyages_, Captain C. R. D. Bethune, R.N.,
confesses himself unable to explain it.