FOOTNOTE: 

[1] See below, p. 224.

SIR GEORGE ROOKE, 1703.

[+From a printed copy in the Library of the United Service Institution+.]

Articles I. to XVI.—­[The same as Russell’s of 1691, except for slight modifications of wording and signals.][1]

Art.  XVII.—­If the admiral see the enemy’s fleet standing towards him and he has the wind of them, the van of the fleet is to make sail till they come the length of the enemy’s rear and our rear abreast of the enemy’s van; then he that is in the rear of our fleet is to tack first, every ship one after another as fast as they can, throughout the line.  And if the admiral would have the whole fleet tack together, the sooner to put them in a posture of engaging the enemy, then he will hoist the union flag on the flagstaff’s[2] at the fore and mizen mast-heads and fire a gun; and all the flagships in the fleet are to do the same.  But in case the enemy’s fleet should tack in their rear, our fleet is to do the same with an equal number of ships, and whilst they are in fight with the enemy to keep within half a cable’s length one of another, or if the weather be bad, according to the direction of the commander.

Art.  XVIII.—­[Same as the remainder of Russell’s XVII.] When the admiral would have the ship that leads the van ... by the flagships of the fleet.

Arts.  XIX. to XXIII.—­[Same as Russell’s XVIII. to XXII.]

Art.  XXIV.—­[Replacing Russell’s XXIII. and XXVIII.] No ship in the fleet shall leave his station upon any pretence whatsoever till he has acquainted his flag or the next flag officer to him with the condition of his ship and received his direction herein.  But in case any ship shall do so, the next ships are to close up the line.[3] And if any commander shall be wanting in doing his duty, his flag or the next flag officer to him is immediately to send for the said, commander from his ship and appoint another in his room.[4]

Arts.  XXV. to XXVII., XXIX. and XXX.—­[Same as Russell’s.]

Art.  XXXI.—­When the admiral would have the fleet draw into a line of battle one astern of the other with a large wind, and if he would have those lead who are to lead with their starboard tacks aboard by a wind, he will hoist a red and white flag at the mizen peak and fire a gun; and if he would have those lead who are to lead with their larboard tacks aboard by a wind, he will hoist a Genoese flag at the same place and fire a gun; which is to be answered by the flagships of the fleet.

Art.  XXXII.—­When the fleet is in the line of battle, the signals that are made by the admiral for any squadron or particular division are to be repeated by all the flags that are between the admiral and that squadron or division to whom the signal is made.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] The modifications consist mainly in adding a gun to several of the flag signals, and enjoining the flagships to repeat them.