[6] Articles V. and VI. in the earlier Admiralty MS.
[7] The equivalent of Article XIV. in the earlier Admiralty MS. which reads thus, 'When I would have the fireships to prime I will hoist a pennant striped red and white on the flagstaff at the fore topmast-head and fire a gun, but in case we are at any time in chase of the enemy's fleet, the fireships are to prime as fast as possible whether the signal be made or not.' The Admiralty MS. ends here with another article relating to fireships (No. XV.): 'You are to hold his majesty's ship under your command in a constant readiness for action, and in case of coming to an engagement with the enemy, if they have the wind of us, to keep your barge manned and armed with hand and fire-chain grapnels on the offside from them, to be ready to assist as well any ship that may be attempted by the fireships of the enemy, as our own fireships when they shall be ordered upon service.' This article disappears from subsequent sets, and was perhaps incorporated into the 'General Instructions to Captains' to which it more properly belongs. The MS. also contains 'Night Signals' and private signals for knowing detached ships rejoining at night.
[8] Whoever was the author of this article, it was generally regarded as too risky and subsequently disappeared. The article of the 'printed Fighting Instructions' referred to is No. XXI.
[9] This memorandum, which concludes the printed portion, must have been added in view of the misconception which occurred in Knowles's action of 1748.
[10] MS. additions by Boscawen.
SIR GEORGE RODNEY, 1782.[1]
[+MS. Signal Book in the Admiralty Library+.]
1. Line ahead at one cable. 2. Line abreast at one cable. 3. Quarter lines on various compass bearings. 4. When in line ahead to alter course to starboard or port together—one gun for every point.[2] 5. The same when in line abreast.[2] 6. To form order of sailing.[3] 7. When in line of battle for the whole fleet to tack together. 8. When in line of battle for the next ship ahead or on the starboard beam, which is at too great a distance, to close. 9. The same for the next astern or on the larboard beam. 10. (Undetermined.) 11. The fleet to form in two separate lines ahead at one cable's distance, each division abreast of the other at two cables' distance.[4] 12. (?) Particular ships to come under the admiral's stern without hail.[5] 13. Ships to change stations in the line of battle. 14. When in chase for the headmost ship to engage the sternmost of the enemy, and the next ship to pass, under cover of her fire, and take the ship next ahead, and so on in succession, without respect to seniority or the prescribed order of battle. To engage to windward or leeward as directed by signal.[6] 15. The whole fleet being in chase, for some of the headmost ships to draw into line of battle and engage the enemy's rear, at the same time endeavouring to get up with their van. Note.—These ships to form without any regard to seniority or the order of battle. The ship nearest the enemy is to lead and the sternmost to bring up the rear. Signal.—Red flag with white cross at main topmast-head with one gun for five ships, and three for seven.[7] 16. When turning to windward in line of battle for the leading ship to make known when she can weather the enemy. To be repeated from ship to ship to the commander-in-chief. If he should stand on till the sternmost ship can weather them, she is to make it known by hoisting a common pennant at the fore topgallant mast-head; to be repeated as before. The sternmost ship is likewise to do so whenever the squadron shall be to windward of the enemy, and her commander shall judge himself far enough astern of their rear to lead down out of their line of fire. 17. When in line of battle ahead and to windward of the enemy, to alter course to lead down to them: whereupon every ship is to steer for the ship of the enemy which from the disposition of the two squadrons it may be her lot to engage, notwithstanding the signal for the line ahead will be kept flying.[8] 18. When to windward of the enemy or in any other position that will admit, for the headmost ship to lead down out of their line of fire and attack their rear, the second from the leader to pass under her fire, and take the second ship of the enemy, and so on in succession. To engage to starboard or larboard according to signal. 19. To come to a closer engagement.[9] 20. For particular ships to quit the line. 21. For particular ships to attack the enemy's convoy.[10] 22. For all fireships to prime.[11] 23. On discovering a superior force. 24. For three-decked and heavy ships to draw out of their places in the line of battle, and form in the van or rear of the fleet. 25. To attack the enemy's centre.[12] 26. To attack the enemy's rear.[12] 27. To attack the enemy's van.[12] 28. To make sail ahead on a bearing from the admiral.[13] 29. In cruising to form line ahead or abreast at one or two miles' distance.[14]
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The actual Additional Fighting Instructions used by Rodney for his famous campaign of 1782 are lost; what follows are merely the drift of those instructions so far as they can be determined from the references to them in his signal book. It should be noted that by this time those used in the Seven Years' War had been entirely recast in a more logical form.