15.  If you be in danger of a leak—­I mean in present danger—­you shall shoot off two pieces presently one after another, and if in danger of fire, three pieces presently one after another; but if there be time between we will know by your second piece that you doubt that we do not hear your first piece, and therefore you shoot a second, to wit by night, and give time between.

16.  There is no man that shall strike any officer be he captain, lieutenant, ensign, sergeant, corporal of the field,[6] quartermaster, &c.

17.  Nor the master of any ship, master’s mate, or boatswain, or quartermaster.  I say no man shall strike or offer violence to any of these but the supreme officer to the inferior, in time of service, upon pain of death.

18.  No private man shall strike another, upon pain of receiving such punishment as a martial court[7] shall think him worthy of.

19.  If any man steal any victuals, either by breaking into the hold or otherwise, he shall receive the punishment as of a thief or murderer of his fellows.

20.  No man shall keep any feasting or drinking between meals, nor drink any healths upon your ship’s provisions.

21.  Every captain by his purser, stewards, or other officers shall take a weekly account how his victuals waste.

22.  The steward shall not deliver any candle to any private man nor for any private use.

23.  Whosoever shall steal from his fellows either apparel or anything else shall be punished as a thief.

24.  In foul weather every man shall fit his sails to keep company with the fleet, and not run so far ahead by day but that he may fall astern the admiral by night.

25.  In case we shall be set upon by sea, the captain shall appoint sufficient company to assist the gunners; after which, if the fight require it, in the cabins between the decks shall be taken down [and] all beds and sacks employed for bulwarks.[8]

The musketeers of every ship shall be divided under captains or other officers, some for the forecastle, others for the waist, and others for the poop, where they shall abide if they be not otherwise directed.[9]

26.  The gunners shall not shoot any great ordnance at other distance than point blank.

27.  An officer or two shall be appointed to take care that no loose powder be carried between the decks, or near any linstock or match in hand.  You shall saw divers hogsheads in two parts, and filling them with water set them aloft the decks.  You shall divide your carpenters, some in hold if any shot come between wind and water, and the rest between the decks, with plates of leads, plugs, and all things necessary laid by them.  You shall also lay by your tubs of water certain wet blankets to cast upon and choke any fire.[10]