mda Waterways Object Name Thesaurus
0-9, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z [Contents]

racing punt
Some punts were also propelled by sculls or paddles, while a few stepped a single mast and carried sail. The racing punt was about 30 feet long, 18 inches in the beam (14.5 inches measured across the bottom of the punt inside) and 6-7 inches deep.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT competitive craftLink to term
BT human powered boatLink to term
NT best and best puntLink to term
NT semi-racer puntLink to term


railway boat
Open day boats working from canal/railway interchange basins.

USE station boat (Birmingham)Link to term


rally plaque
Small, usually metal, plate commemorating participation in a canal rally. Designed for display.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT boat equipmentLink to term


ram's head
This refers to either the top of the stock of a wooden rudder on horse narrow boat or butty boat or to the Z shaped metal bar attached to the top of the rudder post on motor narrow boats.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT above decks watercraft componentLink to term
RT rudder stockLink to term
NT swan's neckLink to term


randan
A development of the Thames wherry and also gave its name to the system by which it was propelled. This combined sculling and rowing in the same craft, for it had three hands and a cox. Stroke and bow were oarsmen, while the second person sculled. This method of propulsion was widely used from the mid-nineteenth century, for both speed and convenience.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT competitive craftLink to term
BT human powered boatLink to term
RT Thames wherryLink to term


ratline
Thin lines tied between the shrouds of a sailing vessel, forming a ladder to allow a crew to get up the mast.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT rigging componentLink to term
RT shroudLink to term


reaming iron
A wedge shaped blade with either a fantail or square shoulder, used for opening a tight seam before caulking.

UF deck ironLink to term
UF opening ironLink to term
CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT caulking ironLink to term


rebate plane
Wood or metal planes which are flat across the sole, in which the cutting iron extends to the extreme edge on one or both sides; they are used for forming and cleaning up rebates (a rebate is a rectangular recess or step along the edge of a piece of wood or other materials).

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT planeLink to term


recreational craft
Craft designed for recreational use on inland waterways. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT <craft by function>Link to term
NT bitternLink to term
NT camping boatLink to term
NT canoeLink to term
NT college bargeLink to term
NT cruiserLink to term
NT day boat (leisure)Link to term
NT dodgerLink to term
NT doryLink to term
NT dragon boatLink to term
NT fishing dinghyLink to term
NT gigLink to term
NT hotel boatLink to term
NT launchLink to term
NT peter boatLink to term
NT puntLink to term
NT skiffLink to term
NT slipper launchLink to term
NT trail boatLink to term
NT trip boatLink to term
NT Yarmouth One DesignLink to term
NT yeomanLink to term


reed barge

USE reedlighterLink to term


reedlighter
Double ended open boats used in the smallest broadland cuts to carry roofing reeds from the marsh to drying grounds. Also used as lightening craft.

UF reed bargeLink to term
CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Norfolk wherryLink to term


reef point
A short rope sewn into a sail to tie up the sail when it has been rolled up or 'reefed'.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT sail componentLink to term


Regents Canal barge
A class of unrigged Thames barge built to fit the locks on the Regent's Canal using the wide waterway through London and up to the paper mills on the Southern Grand Union (Grand Junction).

UF Regents Canal lighterLink to term
CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Thames bargeLink to term
RT Thames sailing bargeLink to term


Regents Canal lighter

USE Regents Canal bargeLink to term


reins (driving)
Run along the horse's flanks through rings on the harness and are used to drive the horse.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT equine equipmentLink to term
BT equine powered propulsion system componentLink to term


reins (general)
Ropes or leather straps that come over the collar and are used for controlling or leading the horse.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT equine equipmentLink to term
BT equine powered propulsion system componentLink to term


reverse frame
An angle frame set in a metal vessel with its toe to the outer shell plating.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT frameLink to term


rib
A thin frame in a lightly constructed vessel such as a canoe.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT below decks watercraft componentLink to term


ribbon plate
China souvenir plates with lace-effect edging, hung for decorative purposes in canal narrow boat cabins. A ribbon was often threaded through the 'lace holes' to add to the decorative effect.

UF hanging up plateLink to term
UF lace plateLink to term
CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT boat equipmentLink to term


rigger's screw
A strong iron cramp with a central screw. Used to hold and compress wire strands when splicing wire ropes.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT rope working equipmentLink to term
BT sailmaking equipmentLink to term
BT shipbuilding equipmentLink to term


rigging
The ropes, cables and associated equipment which locates masts and spars on a sailing vessel.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT above decks watercraft componentLink to term
BT ship's equipmentLink to term
RT rigging componentLink to term


rigging component
Component object in a the rigging of craft. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT wind powered propulsion system componentLink to term
NT brailLink to term
NT brail winchLink to term
NT chain plateLink to term
NT clewlineLink to term
NT deadeyeLink to term
NT fore rollerLink to term
NT halyardLink to term
NT halyard rollerLink to term
NT horse (component)Link to term
NT lanyardLink to term
NT leeboardLink to term
NT leeboard clamLink to term
NT main sheetLink to term
NT ratlineLink to term
NT rigging screwLink to term
NT running blockLink to term
NT sheet rollerLink to term
NT shroudLink to term
NT slab lineLink to term
NT starting blockLink to term
NT stayLink to term
NT stayfallLink to term
NT stayfall blockLink to term
NT tack line (rigging component)Link to term
NT tack rollerLink to term
NT yardLink to term
RT riggingLink to term


rigging screw
Metal device with 2 opposite turning screw threads which is used to tighten rigging on a sailing vessel.

UF bottle screwLink to term
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT rigging componentLink to term
RT girder chainLink to term


River Ant wherry
Norfolk wherries sized up to 50ft x 12ft.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Norfolk wherryLink to term


River Bure wherry
Norfolk wherries up to 54ft x 12ft 8in.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Norfolk wherryLink to term


river class boat
Type of steel narrow boat built for British Waterways in the 1950s by E.C. Jones and Son of Brentford and Thames Launch Works Ltd of Teddington. They were mainly named after English Rivers with 3 letters in their name. They all had 'blue tops' to cover the hold. All were butty boats except two.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT <narrow boat by type>Link to term
RT blue topLink to term
NT harbourmaster unitLink to term


River Severn craft
Craft based primarily on the River Severn. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT bargeLink to term
NT Bristol bargeLink to term
NT Kennet bargeLink to term
NT Severn flatLink to term
NT Severn wherryLink to term
NT Stroud bargeLink to term
NT trowLink to term


river shaft

USE rypekLink to term


River Waveney wherry
Norfolk wherries up to 70ft x 16ft.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Norfolk wherryLink to term


rivet
Headed pin like or bolt like fastener of some malleable material used for uniting 2 or more pieces by passing the shank through the hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT fastenerLink to term
NT countersunk head rivetLink to term
NT pan head rivetLink to term
NT round head rivetLink to term
RT buttstrapLink to term


Rob Roy
A kayak type of canoe developed by McGregor and fitted with a sail.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT canoeLink to term
RT kayakLink to term


Rochdale Canal steam packet
An iron hulled steam packet boat. The fleet was closed down by the Rochdale Canal Company in 1921 due to rising costs.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Mersey bargeLink to term


Rochdale flat
Flat designed to fit the locks of the Rochdale canal.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT canal flatLink to term
NT bale boatLink to term


rock drill
A larger version of a chisel for making tunnels.High-powered pneumatic or electrically driven devices or machines used for boring holes into rock.

UF star drillLink to term
CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT drilling equipmentLink to term


roller fairlead

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT docking equipmentLink to term
BT ship's equipmentLink to term


rollers

USE bobbinsLink to term


rond anchor
A hook-shaped anchor for mooring to banks.

UF catcherLink to term
UF dog legLink to term
UF ground anchorLink to term
UF ryepeckLink to term
CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT anchorLink to term


rope gauge
A sliding measuring device for rope.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT measuring equipmentLink to term
BT rope working equipmentLink to term


rope working equipment
Equipment use for working rope in an inland waterways context. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT <tools and equipment by material worked upon>Link to term
NT fidLink to term
NT marline spikeLink to term
NT rigger's screwLink to term
NT rope gaugeLink to term
NT serving malletLink to term


ropework
Decorative and/or functional rope features found on inland waterways craft.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT boat equipmentLink to term
NT monkey's fistLink to term
NT turk's headLink to term
RT fenderLink to term


rose on puffer
A canal puffer given bulwarks to cover it for shore head work.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Scottish bargeLink to term
RT shorehead pufferLink to term
NT steam scowLink to term


rough bunter

USE rove bunterLink to term


rough punt
The original punt which was used for fishing on inland lakes and backwaters; able to move slowly through still waters without too much wash or disturbance, it had ample space for fishing gear.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT puntLink to term


roughing plane
Planes with a single cutting iron, used for rough-shaping or preliminary planing; suited for rougher work than the jack plane.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT planeLink to term


round head rivet
A rivet with a hemispherical head.

UF snap head rivetLink to term
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT rivetLink to term


round punch
Cylindrical metal rod that can be struck to make a round hole in the material being worked upon.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT blacksmith's equipmentLink to term
BT punchLink to term


round sterned day boat
Birmingham day boat with a bow and stern defined as different shapes.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Birmingham day boatLink to term


rove
A disc with a square hole cut in its centre to fit over a spike.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT fastenerLink to term
RT rove bunterLink to term


rove bunter
A punch for driving roves over spikes.

UF rough bunterLink to term
CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT boatbuilding equipmentLink to term
BT punchLink to term
RT roveLink to term


Rowley ragger
Boats built for the quarry industry carrying granite or rowley rag stone from Rowley Regis.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Birmingham day boatLink to term


rowlock
A bracket which swivels on the end of an outrigger to support an oar.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT human powered propulsion system componentLink to term


royalty class boat
A group of narrow boats built originally as protoypes for Associated Canal Carriers Ltd in 1929 (becoming Grand Union Canal Carrying Company in 1934) and then 6 pairs of boats (steel motors and wooden butty boats) in 1931/2. They were named after British monarchs.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT <narrow boat by type>Link to term


rubbing strake

USE guard ironLink to term


rudder
A blade of metal or wood, hung on hinges at the stern of the vessel to control its direction of travel.

UF elumLink to term
UF hellumLink to term
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT below decks watercraft componentLink to term
RT butty tillerLink to term
NT float (component)Link to term
NT rudder pintleLink to term
NT swan's neckLink to term
NT tillerLink to term


rudder pintle
Metal hook and eye on which the rudder is hung and pivots. A common term on narrow boats and canal craft.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT fastenerLink to term
RT rudderLink to term
NT rudder stockLink to term


rudder stock
A heavy near vertical timber of a rudder to which the blade and rudder pintle are fastened.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT above decks watercraft componentLink to term
RT ram's headLink to term
NT rudderLink to term
NT rudder pintleLink to term
NT swan's neckLink to term
NT turk's headLink to term


rumtum
A form of whiff with roughly the same dimensions, used for 'rum-tum' races on the Thames. They were fitted with sliding seats and full outriggers. Rum-tum racing was introduced during the second half of the nineteenth century. Clinker built.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT clinker built boatLink to term
BT whiffLink to term


Runcorn six planker
Carrying up to 30 tons of coal operated by Jonah Horsefield and Jo Southern. Many built by Simpson Davies of Runcorn. Their 'six plank' construction gave them a deeper hold than most narrow boats to take advantage of the deeper waters on the Bridgewater Canal.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT narrow boatLink to term


runner
Rope from the winch or hoist to work cargo with hooks or strop.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT boat equipmentLink to term
RT stropLink to term


running block
A semi circular wooden block with a hole in its centre, used as a guide for the towing rope on narrow boats, using a portable T stud in the cabin roof.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT rigging componentLink to term


running planks
A series of portable planks approx 11 inches by 2 inches, set end to end to form a walkway from the cabin to the bow of a canal narrow boat.

UF top planksLink to term
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT plank (boat component)Link to term
RT false cratchLink to term
NT girder stringsLink to term
NT standLink to term
NT tippetLink to term


ryepeck
A Thames Valley term for a rond anchor.

USE rond anchorLink to term


rypek
A pole with a v shaped metal head, used for propelling a vessel.

UF river shaftLink to term
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT human powered propulsion system componentLink to term
RT thole pinLink to term



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