Ratline
Encyclopedia
Ratline or rat line is a climbing aid in rigging of sailing vessels similar to a rope ladder, commonly known by the plural ratlines
. It may also refer to:
Ratlines
Ratlines, pronounced "rattlin's", are lengths of thin line tied between the shrouds of a sailing ship to form a ladder. Found on all square rigged ships, whose crews must go aloft to stow the square sails, they also appear on larger fore-and-aft rigged vessels to aid in repairs aloft or conduct a...
. It may also refer to:
- Ratlines (history)Ratlines (history)Ratlines were a system of escape routes for Nazis and other fascists fleeing Europe at the end of World War II. These escape routes mainly led toward havens in South America, particularly Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile. Other destinations included the United States and perhaps...
, escape routes for Nazi fugitives - Ratline, ordeal practiced at the Virginia Military Institute