Pursuant to Authority from Andrew Snape Hamond Esq^re: Commanding His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in the River Delaware.

The following Orders and Regulations being thought necessary for the more effectual Safety and preservation of the Fleet, All Masters of Transports and Traders are directed to regard them with strict Attention.

The Wharfs of the City are divided into three Districts under the immediate direction of the following Officers.

Lieutenant Parry from the Upper Wharf to Market Street Wharf.

Lieutenant Chads from Market Street Wharf to Hamiltons Wharf.

Lieutenant Barker from Hamiltons Wharf to the lower Wharf.

To those Gentlemen the Masters of the Night Patrole are to make Report in writing of the Occurrences which may happen during their Guard, that such as fail in obedience to the following Orders may be duly noticed.

During the Night a constant and regular Watch of two Men in a Ship, and one in smaller Vessels is to be kept; and a Master with a Mate and four Men from each District are to patrole the Wharfs to see that the Gally Fires, and all Lights (except the Masters) are put out by eight oClock. The Patrole is to Visit all Ships and Vessels abovementioned through the Night, and if any obstruction shall be offered to this essential and necessary point of Duty they are to report such Offenders that proper Methods may be taken for bringing them to Punishment. Report is also to be made of any Vessel who may have neglected to keep proper Watch.

Each Ship or Vessel is to have one or two Casks of Water placed near the Gally or Cooking place with their Heads out, and the Ship’s Buckets ranged at Hand that an immediate Supply of Water may be had while the River is Froze; and whenever Ship or House is discovered on Fire the Ship’s Bells are to be Rung to give the Alarm, but at no other time.

Those Ships laying in the District where Fire happens, are to give immediate Assistance whether it may be House or Ship; taking care always to leave two people on board for the Security of their own Ship.

No Person is to pass between the Ships and Wharfs after Gun fire except the Patrole, or in case of an Alarm as beforementioned.

Given onboard the Fanny at Philadelphia the 29^th. December 1777.