RUN DOWN A VESSEL, To. To pass over, into, or foul her by running against her end-on, so as to jeopardize her.
RUNE [from the Teutonic rennen, to flow]. A water-course.
RUNGS. The same as the floor or ground timbers, and whose ends are the rung-heads. Also, a spoke, and the step or round of a ladder.
RUNLET. A measure of wine, oil, &c., containing eighteen gallons and a half.
RUN-MONEY. The money paid for apprehending a deserter, and charged against his wages. Also, the sum given to seamen for bringing a ship home from the West Indies, or other places, in time of war. Coasters are sometimes paid by the run instead of by the month.
RUNNER-PURCHASE. The addition of a tackle to a single rope, then termed a pendant, passing through a block applied to the object to be moved; as it might be the laniard of a shroud, the end of the runner pendant being fast to some secure fixed object; as in backstays, &c.
RUNNERS. Ships which risk every impediment as to privateers or blockade, to get a profitable market.
RUNNERS of Foreign Goods. Organized smugglers.
RUNNING AGREEMENT. In the case of foreign-going ships making voyages averaging less than six months in duration, running agreements can legally be made with the crew to extend over two or more voyages.
RUNNING-BLOCKS. Those which are made fast to the running rigging or tackles.