Plat, or pale de la RAME, the blade, or wash of an oar.

RAMER. See NAGER.

RAMEUR, a rower.

RANG, the rate of ships of war. As the division of the French navy into classes or orders differs from the arrangement of the English fleet, it appears necessary to mark that difference in this place.

The principal French ships of war are divided into three rates, each of which is subdivided into two orders. All the inferior ships, which are not comprehended in those rates and orders, are called frégates and corvettes. See FRÉGATE, &c.

A ship of the first order, of the first rate, carries from 110 to 120 guns.

Ships of the second order, of the first rate, carry from 110 to 90 guns.

Ships of the first order, of the second rate, carry from 90 to 74 guns upon three decks.

Ships of the second order, of the second rate, carry from 70 to 60 guns upon two decks, with the quarter.deck and fore.castle.

Ships of the first order, of the third rate, carry from 60 to 50 guns upon two decks, &c.

Ships of the second order, of the third rate, which are now generally called frégates, carry from 50 to 60 guns upon two decks, &c.

The frégates from 46 to 32 guns, have sometimes two tiers of cannon complete; but all those from 36 to 20, have in general but one tier of cannon, the rest being carried on the quarter.deck and fore.castle.

RANG de rameurs, a bank of rowers, or bank of oars.

RANGER la côte, or RANGER la terre, to coast, or range along.shore.

RANGER le vent, to claw the wind, or haul close to the wind.

Le vent se RANGE de l'avant, the wind hauls forward, the wind heads us, or takes us, a.head.

Reference Works