olicy 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 paral