Volume 29 / Part 8 — SIR EDWARD HAWKE, 1756.

[+MS. Signal Book, United Service Institution+.]

Memorandum,

In room of Articles V. and VI. of the 'Additional Fighting Instructions by Day'[1] it is in my discretion that this be observed, viz.:

When sailing in a line of battle, one ship ahead of another, and I would have the ship that leads with either the starboard or larboard tacks aboard to alter her course in order to lead down to the enemy, I will hoist a Dutch jack under my flag at the mizen topmast-head and fire two guns. Then every ship of the squadron is to steer for the ship of the enemy that from the disposition of the two squadrons must be her lot to engage, notwithstanding I shall keep the signal for the line ahead flying, making or shortening sail in such proportion as to preserve the distance assigned by the signal for the line, in order that the whole squadron as soon as possible may come to action at the same time.[2]

ED. HAWKE.

Additional Signals.

If upon seeing an enemy I should think it necessary to alter the disposition of the ships in the line of battle, and would have any ships change station with each other, I will make the signal to speak with the captains of such ships, and hoist the flag chequered red and blue on the flagstaff at the mizen topmast-head.[3]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] I.e. the older set. They were Articles XV. and XVI. of the remodelled set used by Boscawen in 1759.

[2] This article was presumably issued by Hawke when in July 1756 he superseded Byng in the Mediterranean. It seems designed to prevent a recurrence of the errors which lost the battle of Minorca, where the British van was crushed by coming into action long before the centre and rear. It is not in the Additional Instructions of 1759, but reappears in a modified form in those of 1780.

[3] This article is entered in the same signal book, but has no signature. It may therefore have been one of Anson's innovations.

ADMIRAL BOSCAWEN, 1759.[1]

[+From the original in the Admiralty Library, 252/29+.]

I. In case of meeting with a squadron of the enemy's ships that may be less in number than the squadron under my command, if I would have any of the smaller ships quit the line, that those of the greatest force may be opposed to the enemy, I will put abroad the signal for speaking with the captains of such ships as I would have leave the line, and hoist a flag, striped yellow and white, at the flagstaff at the main topmast-head; then the next ships are to close the line, and those that have quitted it are to hold themselves in readiness to assist any ship that may be disabled, or hard pressed, or to take her station, if she is obliged to go out of the line: in which case, the strongest ship that is withdrawn from the line is strictly enjoined to supply her place, and fill up the vacancy.

II. And in case of meeting with any squadron, or ships of war of the enemy that have merchant-men under their convoy, though the signal for the line of battle should be out, if I would have any of the frigates that are out of the line, or any ship of the line fall upon the convoy, whilst the others are engaged, I will put abroad the pennant for speaking with the captain of such ship or ships, and hoist the flag above mentioned for quitting the line, with a pennant under it; upon which signal, such ship or ships are to use their utmost endeavours to take or destroy the enemy.

III. If at any time while we are engaged with the enemy, the admiral shall judge it proper to come to a closer engagement than at the distance we then are, he will hoist a red and white flag on the flagstaff at the main topmast-head, and fire a gun. Then every ship is to engage the enemy at the same distance the admiral does; and if the admiral would have any particular ship do so, he will make the same signal, and the signal for speaking with the captain.

IV.[2] When I would have the two divisions of the fleet form themselves into a separate line of battle, one ship ahead of another at the distance of a cable's length asunder, and each division to be abreast of the other, when formed at the distance of one cable's length and a half, I will hoist a flag chequered blue and yellow at the mizen peak, and fire a gun, and then every ship is to get into her station accordingly,

*V.[3] When I would have the fleet spread in a line abreast, each ship keeping at the distance of one mile from the other, I will hoist a flag chequered blue and yellow, on the flagstaff at the mizen top-mast-head, and fire a gun.

*VI. When I would have the ships spread in a line directly ahead of each other, and keep at the distance of a mile asunder, I will hoist a flag chequered red and white at the mizen peak, and fire a gun.

*VII. And when the signal is made for the ships to spread either abreast or ahead of one another, and I would have them keep at the distance of two miles asunder, I will hoist a pennant under the fore-mentioned flags: then every ship is to make sail, and get into her station accordingly.

VIII. If I should meet with a squadron of the enemy's ships of war inferior in number to the ships under my command, those ships of my squadron (above the number of the enemy) that happen to fall in either ahead of the enemy's van or astern of his rear, while the rest of the ships are engaged, are hereby required, and directed to quit the line without waiting for the signal, and to distress the enemy by raking the ships in the van and rear, notwithstanding the first part of the twenty-fourth article of the Fighting Instructions to the contrary.

IX. And if I should chase with the whole squadron, and would have a certain number of the ships that are nearest the enemy draw into a line of battle ahead of me, in order to engage till the rest of the ships of the squadron can come up with them, I will hoist a white flag with a red cross on the flagstaff at the main topmast-head, and fire the number of guns as follows:—

When I would have five ships draw into a line of battle, ahead of each other, I will fire one gun.

When I would have seven ships draw into a line of battle, ahead of each other, I will fire three guns.

X. Then those ships are immediately to form the line without any regard to seniority or the general form delivered, but according to their distances from the enemy, viz., The headmost and nearest ship to the enemy is to lead, and the sternmost to bring up the rear, that no time may be lost in the pursuit; and all the rest of the ships are to form and strengthen that line, as soon as they can come up with them, without any regard to my general form of the order of battle.

XI. Whereas every ship is directed (when sailing in a line of battle) to keep the same distances those ships do who are nearest the admiral, always taking it from the centre: if at any time I think the ship ahead of me is [at] too great a distance, I will make it known to him by putting abroad a pennant at the jib-boom end, and keep it flying till he is in his proper station: and if he finds the ship ahead of him is at a greater distance from him than he is from the [4]——-(or such ship as my flag shall be flying on board of), he shall make the same signal at his jib-boom end, and keep it flying till he thinks that ship is at a proper distance, and so on to the van of the line.

XII. And when I think the ship astern of me is at too great a distance, I will make it known to him by putting abroad a pennant at the cross-jack yard-arm, and keep it flying till he is in his station: and if he finds the ship astern of him is at a greater distance than he is from the —— (or such ship as my flag shall be flying aboard of) he shall make the same signal at the cross-jack yard-arm, and keep it flying till he thinks that the ship is at a proper distance, and so on to the rear of the line.

XIII. And if at any time the captain of any particular ship in the line thinks the ship without him is at a greater distance than those ships who are next the centre, he shall make the above signal: and then that ship is immediately to close, and get into his proper station.

XIV.[5] When the signal is made for the squadron to draw into a line of battle, one ship ahead of another, by hoisting a union flag at the mizen peak and firing a gun, every ship is to make all the sail he can into his station, and keep at the distance of half a cable's length from each other: If I would have them to be a cable's length asunder, I will hoist a blue flag, with a red cross under the union flag at the mizen peak and fire a gun: and if two cables' length asunder, a white and blue flag under the union flag at the mizen peak, and fire a gun: but when I would have the squadron draw into a line of battle, one ship abreast of another, and keep at those distances as above directed, I will hoist a pennant under the said flags at the mizen peak.

XV.[6] When sailing in a line of battle, one ship ahead of another, and I would have the ship who leads to alter her course and lead more to starboard, I will hoist a flag striped white and blue at the fore topmast-head, and fire a gun for every point of the compass I would have the course altered.

XVI.[6] And if I would have the ship that leads to alter her course and lead more to port, I will hoist a flag striped blue and white on the flagstaff at the mizen topmast-head, and fire a gun for every point of the compass I would have the course altered, and every ship in the squadron is to get into her wake as fast as possible.

XVII.[7] When I would have all the fireships to prime, I will hoist a chequered blue and yellow pennant at the mizen topmast-head.

*XVIII.[8] Notwithstanding the general printed Fighting Instructions, if at any time, when engaged with an equal number of the enemy's ships, and the ship opposed to any of his majesty's ships is forced out of the line, you are hereby required and directed to pursue her, and endeavour to take and destroy her.

Memorandum.—When the squadron is in a line of battle ahead, and the signal is made for the headmost and weathermost to tack, the ship that leads on the former tack is to continue to lead after tacking.[9]

*XIX.[10] When I would have the ship or ships that chase bring down their chase to me, I will hoist a blue flag pierced with white on the fore topgallant mast, not on the flagstaff.

*XX.[10] When I find it necessary to have the state and condition of the ships in the squadron sent on board me, I will make the signal for all lieutenants, and hoist a blue and white flag at the mizen peak and fire a gun. If for the state and condition of a particular ship, I make the signal for the lieutenant of that ship, with the flag at the mizen peak.

Given under my hand on board his majesty's ship Namur, in Gibraltar Bay, this 27 April, 1759. E. BOSCAWEN (autograph). To Capt. Medows, of his majesty's ship Shannon. By command of the admiral ALEX. MACPHERSON (autograph).

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The articles marked with an asterisk are additions subsequent to and not appearing in the earlier Admiralty MS. 252/24, 'Additional Fighting Instructions by Day' (see p. 108).

[2] In the earlier Admiralty MS. this article is numbered VII. and begins 'If the fleet should happen to be in two divisions and I would have them form,' &c.

[3] Used by Lord Anson in 1747. See supra, p. 209.

[4] The earlier Admiralty MS. has simply 'the ship my flag shall be aboard of.'

[5] Article IV, in the earlier Admiralty MS. It is practically identical except that it has 'she' and 'her' throughout where ships are spoken of, and a few other verbal differences.

[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.

[2] Cf. Boscawen's Nos. 15 and 16.

[3] According to Sir Chas. H. Knowles the regular sailing formation at this time for a large fleet was in three squadrons abreast, each formed in bow and quarter line to starboard and port of its flag. He says it was his father's treatise on Tactics which induced Howe to revert to Hoste's method, and adopt the formation of squadrons abreast in line ahead. This, he adds, Howe used for the first time when sailing to relieve Gibraltar in 1782. Thenceforth it became the rule of the service, and the subsequent signal books contain signals for forming line of battle from two, three, and six columns of sailing respectively. This Knowles regards as the great reform on which modern tactics were founded. See his Observations on Tactics, 1830.

[4] Cf. Boscawen's No. 4.

[5] This may be an Additional Sailing Instruction, the various sets of Additional Instructions not being distinguished in the signal book.

[6] This article may well have been the outcome of Hawke's defeat of L'Etenduere in 1747, when he chased and engaged practically as the instruction directs, and with complete success.

[7] Cf. Boscawen's Nos. 9 and 10.

[8] This appears to correspond to Article XXI. of the Additional Fighting Instructions in use in 1780, to which Rodney referred in his report on the action of April 17 in that year.

[9] Cf. Boscawen's No. 3.

[10] Cf. Boscawen's No. 2.

[11] Cf. Boscawen's No. 17.

[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]

6. For ships in chase or looking out to alter course to port or starboard.

7. To stay by or repair to the protection of prizes or ships under convoy.

8. When fetching up with the enemy and to leeward, or on a contrary tack, to break through their line, and to endeavour to cut off part of their van or rear.

9. For the leading ship to cut through the enemy's line of battle.

10. To signify that the admiral will carry neither top nor stern lights. Note.—The fleet immediately to close.

11. For particular ships to reconnoitre the enemy in view, and to return to make known their number and force.

12. For a particular ship to keep between the fleet and that of the enemy during the night, to communicate intelligence.[3]

13. To signify to a ship that she mistakes the signal that was made to her.

14. To prepare to hoist French or Spanish colours.

15. For a particular ship to open her fire on the ship opposed to her.

16. When a ship is in distress in battle.

17. Signal to call attention of larboard or starboard line of the division only.[4]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] See pp. 211-2. These additional signals are all added in paler ink, with those made by Admiral Pigot. In the original they occur on various pages without numbers. In the text above they have merely been numbered consecutively for convenience of reference. Hood was made a viscount September 12, 1782, and began to issue these orders on March 11, 1783, when he had a squadron placed under his command.

[2] Ascribed also to Pigot.

[3] Also ascribed to Pigot.

[4] The MS. has also an additional signal ascribed to Pigot for a particular ship to cut through the enemy's line of battle, and for the other ships to follow her in close order to support each other.