RESOLVE, To. To reduce a traverse, or day's work, to its exact limits.
RESOURCE. Expedient. A good seaman is ever a man of resources.
RESPONDENTIA. A loan made upon goods laden in a ship, for which the borrower is personally responsible; differing therein from bottomry, where the ship and tackle are liable. In bottomry the lender runs no risk, though the goods should be lost; and upon respondentia the lender must be paid his principal and interest, though the ship perish, provided the goods be safe.
RESPONSIBILITY. Often a wholesome restraint; but the bugbear of an inefficient officer.
REST. A pole with an iron fork at the top for the support of the old heavy musket.
RET, To. To soak in water, as in seasoning timber, hemp, &c.
RETINUE. Applied strictly to the admiral's suite or followers, though it means an accompanying train in general.
RETIRE. The old war-term for retreat. Thus Shakspeare makes Richard Plantagenet exclaim—
"Ne'er may he live to see a sunshine day,
That cries Retire, if Warwick bid him stay."
RETIRED LIST. A roll whereon deserving officers are placed whose health, age, or want of interest justifies their retirement from active service.