Additional Instructions respecting the Conduct of the Fleet preparative to, and in Action with the Enemy—

Art I

The Chief Purpose of a regular disposition of the Ships limited to Place and Distance in the stated order of Battle, being that they may remain as Jittle as possible exposed on their approach to the Fire of more than the Particular Ships corresponding in Station in the Enemy's Line; Or be subject to receive any injury from each other; And as a Strict adhereance thereto, may on many occasions be found prejudicial to the Service by restraining the Captains from taking advantage of the favourable incidents which may occur in the Progress of a General Action; it is the Object of these Instructions to facillitate the Means of improving sue:h opportunitys by an Authorised deviation from those restrictive appointments.

2nd

This meant that the British Van should be extended to the headmost Ship of the Enemy's Van at all times, preparative to General Action in regular Order of Battle between the two Fleets, Tho' they Consist of a greater Number of Ships. And it is equally desirable on that Occasion, that the same Care, should be taken in the Rear, to engage more particularly the Sternmost Ships of their Rear; that no unoccupied Ships may be left at either extremity of their Line, to facillitate any attempt to double on some Part of the British Fleet. Tho' it is judged that such use of their superiority, proposed to be made by an unexperienced Enemy, will be proportionally guarded against, as the Ships of the Fleet, subject to be affected thereby, shall be more Closely engaged with their immediate Opponents in the Enemy's Line.

In respect to the limitation and Rule, for the Government of the Captains with whom the Option must remain in either case, with Relation to the particular Parts of the Enemy's line, wherein it may be advisable to leave such unoccupied Ships in the meantime; It is recommended to those commanding Ships of greater force to disregard or pass the weaker and worst sailing ships of the Enemy and confine their first Endeavours solely to disable the stronger and more active, as their accidental Situations in the Line afford Opportunity—

3rd

In the case of weathering, the Enemy's Van preparatory to a General Action, being then approaching each other on different Tacks, the Fleet is to continue standing on as before untill further direction. And as soon as the Admiral has judged the Van to be advanced far enough on towards the rear of the Enemy to allow a Sufficient space for the Ships to form and bring up properly against those opposed to them in the Enemy's Line respectively when come too on the other Tack; He may be expected to make the Signal for the Rear to tack first, or the whole Fleet to tack together, as he sees most Convenient for coming upon the Line of Bearing best suited to the Position of the Enemy and he will afterwards shape a Course for bringing the Ships into Action with them accordingly. The several Commanders will therefore be prepared for such Evolution.

But if any Number of Ships of the Enemy's Rear should Tack, an equal Number of the Sternmost Ships in the British Line are to do the Same in Succession after that which will then become the leading Ship; and being thereby formed in line ahead parallel to those of the Enemy, tacking as aforesaid, are to engage them in that situation unless otherwise by Signal directed—

IV

When arriving up with the Enemy on the same tack having the Windof them; and they are observed to be lying too or waiting under an easy Sail by the Wind in line of Battle ahead but at such a distance to Leeward that the Fleet is not liable to be materially injured by their Fire, the Admiral will then most probably chuse to continue on upon the same Course, untill the Van of the Fleet appears to be advanced within a sufficient distance of the Extent of the Enemy's Van. He may be thereupon expected to make the Signal for shapeing a Course to join the Enemy and to come to Action with them on bringing up Each Ship of the Fleet opposed to that of the Enemy corresponding in Situation respectively as before expressed—

V

But if the Admiral should think Proper under the same Circumstances in respect to the Enemy, to attempt upon their Rear previous to the Pursuit of a General Action and makes the Signal 4 or 5 page 11 in the Sigl Book delivered; The leading Ship of the Van is to open a Convenient distance; and upon arriving up with the Enemy to give their sternmost Ships his Fire upon the Quarter, then Tack or Wear & fall into the Rear of the Line according to the purport of the respective Signals — This Method of Attack is to be Continued in succession by the Ships of the Fleet, or any Particular division so appointed untill further Signal, Care being always taken to leave room as requisite for each other in the Execution of this Service —

VI

When from any movement of the Enemy, it is thought improper longer to continue the Manner of attack specified in the Preceeding Article, and that the Admiral would have the next succeeding ships to take their Stations for the purpose of bringing on a General Action; He will most Probably make the Signal 3. Page 11 to invert the line in Succession primarily instituted for the Circumstance of arriving up at a small distance to the Windward of the Enemy upon the same Tack. The then headmost Ship of the British line is thereupon to be placed against the Sternmost Ship, not before disabled in the Enemy's line, the Ship her second astern is to pass without her to attack the next Ship of the Enemy; and the others to do the Same in Order throughout the Enemy's line; The meaning of this last appointment being to guard in some Cases against the Injury the headmost Ships would be exposed to in passing onward under the Fire of the Enemy's whole Line to the attack of their leading Ship, in the Van; as is generally understood to be required in such relative Positions of the two Fleets, by the XIX Article of the General printed fighting Instructions; The most necessary Purposes of which the particular Signals, and Instructions delivered for the Government of the Ships on the present Occasion are meant to supply —

VII

On meeting with a Fleet of the Enemy inferior in Number of Ships tothat under the Admiral's Command; Or if, by the early Desertion of their Posts in Battle, the British Fleet should become superior to them in the Line; the Ships of the Van or Rear in either Circumstance over and above the Number of the Enemy so drawn up, are to quit their Stations in the Line without waiting for further Signals or Instructions to that Effect;the Captainsthereof aretoendeavourtodistress&annoyanyofthe nearest Ships of the Fleet particularly opposed to them; Or otherwise to assist or relieve any disabled Ships thereof as they can be employed with most Advantage —

VIII

At it may be necessary on some Occasions to set the Ships of the Fleet at liberty to steer for those Opposed to them respectively in the Enemy's line, independant of that necessary regard to the uniformity in distance, Course & Movements to be at other times observed, When the Signal 8 Page 23 is made for that Purpose, it will be incumbent on the Captains of the Fleet to keep those Ships of the Enemy, to which they are thus separately directed, upon the same Constant Bearings if possible as they advance towards them—

Suitable Care however is to be taken by them mutually, not to cross upon one or otherwise subject themselves to any hazard of falling on board each other in Execution hereof — For which end when they are so stationed or Confined in their Situations by the Ships near them, that they have not sufficient space to shape or vary their Course correspondent to the alterations in the Enemy's Position made according to their usual Practice on such Occasions; They will best remedy that Inconvenience by a Proportionable increase or decrease of Sail carried so as to be assured of effecting the Intended Junction as near together as may be with all convenient dispatch —

They are permitted on bringing up against the Enemy to take their Station on either Part to windward or to Leeward of their Opponents as they see most suitable for boarding or Closing with them to advantage to disable them more Speedily—

They must nevertheless be mindful that they are not drawn away by any impression feigned or actually appearing to be made upon the Enemy, so far that they can not have assistance from the Fleet occasionally; Being in such Circumstances to Consider wherein they may render the most effectual Service against the Enemy and to govern themselves accordingly—

IX

The Purpose of this Signal being to have a timely preparation made in the Ships or Division referred to, when it is proposed to attack any Ships of the Enemy protected by their batteries in Port, or otherwise obliged to Anchor inshore for their security, And when neither the Time or Circum­stances of the Case do admit of giving earlier notice of the Admirals intentions therein; It has therefore been thought expedient to specify in explanation thereof, some of the most necessary Provisions for the military Service thence likely to ensue—

The Captains of the Ships so Pointed out, are to prepare for such service in due time, by having springs upon their Bowers, and the End of their Sheet Cable, taken into their Stern Ports, for stopping short without winding when they are to sail to their Anchoring Stations, against the works of the Enemy with the wind aft—

Their different boats are to be hoisted out and Hawsers coiled in their Launches or Longboats, with their Stream or Coasting Anchors, in Readiness to Aid or Transport their own Ships to their destined Stations; Or to assist other Ships of the Fleet on the same Occasion —

Their spare Topmasts & Yards (Wind & Weather permitting) will be best secured from Injury in Action, by being lashed along side under their lower deck Ports, or towed astern in smooth Water when no Opportunity offers for leaving them in the care of any other Ships or Vessels attending upon the Fleet—

It is recommended to them whilst advancing to their Stations under the Fire of the Enemy to keep their unoccupied men laid Close down upon the decks on the Off side from the Enemys Ships or Works; to prevent disorder amongst them by untimely Accidents, and that they may be less exposed untill the Ships are duly placed—

Given on board His Majesty's Ship Eagle off New York the 8th day of June 1777

To The Honble Captn William Cornwallis Commander of His Majs Ship Isis 

By Command of the Vice Admiral Joseph Davies