Whereas the service on which the Squadron under my command is employed, requires not only the utmost exertion against the enemy, but also the strictest vigilence and alertness to evade any attempts that may be made in the night time to destroy His Majesty's Ships by fire Rafts &ca and although I have the fulest confidence in the conduct and zeal of the officers serving with me, yet I think it necessary at the time I am giving Orders for the safety and defence of the Ships in the night time to declare to them, that whoever shall distinguish himself in the performance of any Service under my command may rely most fully upon my unwearied endeavours to obtain them ample rewards for their merit; And on the other hand to assure him that, every neglect will be as strictly enquired after.

You are therefore hereby required to make the above known to the officers of his Majesty's Ship under your command and punctually to observe the following directions to prevent any Surprize from the enemy.

Every Ship is to keep the Station alloted for the night, for which purpose a Signal will be made ー in the evening; And if none should be made, then each Ship is to remain in the Station she was in the night before: The Cable is to be brought too ready for weighing the Anchor, in case of a Signal being made for that purpose; or that it may be absolutely necessary to move for the safety of the Ship: A Spring is also to be stoped along on each side ready to fix to the Cable, in order to bring the Guns to bear upon any parparticular point; The Sails are to be furled with Rope Yarns, and the Ship is to be kept constantly clear for action, particularly in the Night time; The Guns are to be loaded with round and Grape Shot, and kept primed, with two charges of Powder for each Gun brought up at Sun Set.

The Ships company are to be kept at 3d Watch and each Man of the Watch is to be Armed: A Boat from each Ship is constantly to Row Guard during the night from the setting of the Watch until the Gun fires in the morning: They are to repair on board the Roebuck in the Evening for Orders, and to make their report at 8 o'clock in the morning. They are to be provided with Arms and false fires, also small Anchor and Hawser, and the hand and Chain fire Grapnel, and to be relieved once during the Night.

Given under my hand on board His Majesty's Ship the Roebuck off Wheilminton Creek River Delaware the 8th May 1776 ー

[Enclosure]

Instructions & Signals for the Guard Boats &ca

In case they should discover any object moving on the water, and not be able to judge imediately what it is, they are to show a light, open only in that direction in which the ships are, and so as not to be perceived by the enemy — They are then imediately to row towards it, and as soon as they can plainly discern it to be the enemy, They are to burn a false light, and fire a Musquet, which the Ships will answer by shewing a light; When the Boats are immediately to pursue, and use their best endeavours to take the Vessel; But if it shall be found to be a fire Stage, or any machine intended to annoy the Ships, the Boats will then burn two false fires; And all the Boats of the Squadron will be imediately sent to their assistance in towing off the Firestage or bringing it to an Anchor, as may be found most practible.

A S H.