2.  If the enemy stay to fight us, we having the wind, the headmost squadron of his majesty’s fleets shall steer for the headmost of the enemy’s ships.

3.  If the enemy have the wind of us and come to fight us, the commanders of his majesty’s fleet shall endeavour to put themselves in one line close upon a wind.

4.  In the time of fight in reasonable weather, the commanders of his majesty’s fleet shall endeavour to keep about the distance of half a cable’s length one from the other,[3] but so as that according to the discretion of the commanders they vary that distance according as the weather shall be, and the occasion of succouring our own or assaulting the enemy’s ships shall require.

5.  The flag officers shall place themselves according to such order of battle as shall be given.

6.  None of the ships of his majesty’s fleet shall pursue any small number of ships of the enemy before the main [body] of the enemy’s fleet shall be disabled or shall run.

7.  In case of chase none of his majesty’s fleet or ships shall chase beyond sight of the flag, and at night all chasing ships are to return to the flag.

8.  In case it shall please God that any of his majesty’s ships be lamed in fight, not being in probability of sinking nor encompassed by the enemy, the following ships shall not stay under pretence of securing them, but shall follow their leaders and endeavour to do what service they can upon the enemy, leaving the securing of the lame ships to the sternmost of our ships, being [assured] that nothing but beating the body of the enemy’s fleet can effectually secure the lame ships.  This article is to be observed notwithstanding any seeming contradiction in the fourth or fifth articles of the [fighting] instructions formerly given.

9.  When the admiral would have the van of his fleet to tack first, the admiral will put abroad the union flag at the staff of the fore topmast-head if the red flag be not abroad; but if the red flag be abroad then the fore topsail shall be lowered a little, and the union flag shall be spread from the cap of the fore topmast downwards.

10.  When the admiral would have the rear of the fleet to tack first, the union flag shall be put abroad on the flagstaff of the mizen topmast-head; and for the better notice of these signals through the fleet, each flagship is upon sight of either of the said signals to make the said signals, that so every ship may know what they are to do, and they are to continue out the said signals until they be answered.  Given under my hand the 10th of April, 1665, from on board the Royal Charles.

By command of his royal highness. 
WM. COVENTRY.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] Also in Moulton’s Sea Book, Harl.  MSS. 1247, f. 52 but are there dated April 18, differently numbered, and signed ‘James.’

[2] This is Article 17 of the complete set, which was modified by Rupert’s subsequent order of 1666.  See p. 130.