DICTIONARY OF

Royal Mast 286 Rudder Iron
Royal Mast. Mast immediately above topgallant mast, being an extension of the topgallant
mast.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Voluntary society that maintains lifeboats and lifesaving
apparatus around coasts of the British Isles.
Royal Observatory. Establishment in which time is ascertained and celestial movements
and phenomena are observed and noted. At Greenwich from 1675 to 1943. Now at
Herstmonceux Castle.
Royal (Sail). Sail next above topgallant sail. Generally the upper sail on mast of a squarerigged
ship.
Royal Yacht Squadron. Premier yacht club of the British Empire. Founded at Cowes in
1812; given title 'Royal' in 1820.
Royal Yard. Yard next above topgallant yard: carries royal sail.
R/T. Radio telephone.
Rubber. Steel block with rounded face and wooden handle. Used for rubbing down seams in
canvas after they have been sewn. 2. 'Rubbing Piece.'
Rubbing Paunch. Batten secured vertically on fore side of mast and over the hoops of a
built mast. Prevents damage to yards by hoops, when yards are sent up or down.
Rubbing Piece. Raised wooden beading fitted horizontally around outside of boat. Takes
chafe when boat is alongside. ;
Rubbing Strake. Doubled strake on outside of a boat. Acts as a rubbing piece, and can be
renewed when worn.
Rubbing Wale. Alternative name for 'Rubbing Piece'.
Rudder. That implement or fitting by which the direction of a vessel is controlled by
steering. Almost invariably fitted at stern, and free to move through about 35° on either side.
Hinged to stern post or rudder post—but occasionally balanced. See 'Balanced Rudder'. 2. A
paddle used for steering.
Rudder Band. Alternative name for 'Rudder Brace'.
Rudder Brace. Horizontal attachment to a rudder, carrying either a pintle or brace.
Rudder Breeching. Rope, more or less vertical, that takes part of weight of rudder off the
gudgeons.
Rudder Case. 'Rudder Trunk.'
Rudder Chains. Small chains shackled to rudder and led inboard and secured. Hold rudder
should it become unshipped. Also, form alternative steering connections if steering chains
part.
Rudder Chock. Wooden support for rudder when in dry dock.
Rudder Coat. Canvas cover attached to rudder stock where it emerges from a trunk.
Prevents sea entering ship in heavy weather.
Rudder Frame. Streamlined frame to which plates of a double-plate rudder are fastened.
Rudder Head. Upper end of rudder stock, to which tiller is attached.
Rudder Hole. Opening in deck through which rudder head protrudes.
Rudder Iron. Brace or pintle of a rudder.