2.  To divide the enemy’s fleet.

In case the enemy have the wind of us and we have sea-room enough, then we are to keep the wind as close as we can lie until such time as we see an opportunity by gaining their wakes to divide their fleet; and if the van of our fleet find that they have the wake of any part of them, they are to tack and to stand in, and strive to divide the enemy’s body, and that squadron which shall pass first being come to the other side is to tack again, and the middle squadron is to bear up upon that part of the enemy so divided, which the last is to second, either by bearing down to the enemy or by endeavouring to keep off those that are to windward, as shall be best for service.

3.  To keep the line.

The several commanders of the fleet are to take special care that they keep their line, and upon pain of death that they fire not over any of our own ships.

(Signed) JAMES. 
By command of his royal highness.

(Signed) M. WREN.

FOOTNOTE: 

[1] This must be a copyist’s error.  In Lord Dartmouth’s MS. book (see ante, p. 139) it reads ‘when they are come.’

__THE DUKE OF YORK_, 1672-3_.

[+Spragge’s Second Sea Book.  Dartmouth MSS.+]

Encouragement for the captains and companies of fireships, small frigates and ketches.

Although it is the duty of all persons employed in his majesty’s fleet even to the utmost hazard of their lives to endeavour as well the destroying of his majesty’s enemies, as the succouring of his majesty’s subjects, and in most especial manner to preserve and defend his majesty’s ships of war (the neglect whereof shall be at all times strictly and severely punished), nevertheless, that no inducement may be wanting which may oblige all persons serving in his majesty’s service valiantly and honourably to acquit themselves in their several stations, we have thought fit to publish and declare, and do hereby promise on his majesty’s behalf: 

That if any of his majesty’s fireships perform the service expected of them in such manner that any of the enemy’s ships of war of forty guns or more shall be burnt by them, every person remaining in the fireship till the service be performed shall receive on board the admiral, immediately after the service done, ten pounds as a reward for that service over and above his pay due to him; and in case any of them shall be killed in that service it shall be paid to his executors or next relation over and above the ordinary provision made for the relations of such as are slain in his majesty’s service; and the captains of such fireships shall receive a medal of gold to remain as a token of honour to him and his posterity, and shall receive such other encouragement by preferment and command as shall be fit to reward him, and induce others to perform the like service.  The inferior officers shall receive each ten pounds in money and be taken care of, and placed in other ships before any persons whatsoever.