[12] In connection with these three articles the following dictum attributed to Rodney should be recalled: 'During all the commands Lord Rodney has been entrusted with he made it a rule to bring his whole force against a part of the enemy's, and never was so absurd as to bring ship to ship when the enemy gave him an opportunity of acting otherwise.' And cf. supra, p. 213.
[13] This may be an Additional Sailing Instruction.
[14] Cf. Boscawen's Nos. 5, 6 and 7. A number of other Additional Instructions are referred to, but they seem to relate to Sailing, Chasing or General Instructions. No more Fighting Instructions can be identified.
LORD HOODS ADDITIONS, 1783.[1]
[+MS. Signal Book in the Admiralty Library+.]
1. For the ships to steer for (independent of each other) and engage respectively the ships opposed to them.
2. When in line of battle, for the leading ship to carry as much sail as her commander judges the worst sailing ship can preserve her station with all her plain sail set.
3. To prepare to reef topsails together.
4. When in line of battle or otherwise for the men to go to dinner.
5. After an action for the ships to signify whether they are in a condition to renew it.[2]