The amendments introduced into these instructions, although not extensive, point to a continued development.  We note first that James’s Articles 3 and 4 are combined in Dartmouth’s Article 3, so as to ensure the close-hauled line being formed before any attempt is made to divide the enemy’s fleet.  No such provision existed in the previous instructions.  Another noteworthy change under the new article is that, whether by intention or not, any commander of a ship is given the initiative in weathering a part of the enemy’s fleet if he sees an opportunity.  If this was seriously intended it seems to point to a reaction to the school of Monck and Rupert, perhaps under Spragge’s influence.  Dartmouth’s next new article, No. 5, for reforming line of battle as convenient, regardless of the prescribed order of battle, points in the same direction.

The only other change of importance is the note inserted in the sixth article, in which Dartmouth lays his finger on one of the weak points in James’s method of attack from windward by bearing down all together, and suggests a means by which the danger of being raked as the ships come down may be minimised.

FOOTNOTE: 

[1] Dartmouth MSS. (Historical MSS.  Commission, XI. v. 160.)

LORD DARTMOUTH, Oct. 1688.

[+Sloane MSS. 3650, ff. 7-11+.]

George, Lord Dartmouth, admiral of his majesty’s fleet for the present expedition.

Instructions for the better ordering his majesty’s fleet in fighting.

1 and 2. [Same as in Duke of York’s, 1673.]

3.  If the enemy have the wind of his majesty’s fleet, and come to fight them, the commanders of his majesty’s ships shall endeavour to put themselves into one line as close upon a wind as they can lie, according to the order of battle given, until such time as they shall see an opportunity by gaining their wakes to divide the enemy’s fleet, &c. [rest as in Article 3 of 1673].

4. [Same as 5 of 1673.] [1]

5.  If the admiral should have the wind of the enemy, when other ships of the fleet are in the wind of the admiral, then upon hoisting up a blue flag at the mizen yard or mizen topmast, every such ship is to bear up into his wake or grain upon pain of severe punishment.  In this case, whether the line hath been broke or disordered by the shifting of the wind, or otherwise, each ship or division are not unreasonably to strive for their proper places in the first line of battle given, but they are to form a line, the best that may be with the admiral, and with all the expedition that can be, not regarding what place or division they fall into or between.

If the admiral be to leeward of the enemy, &c. [rest as in 6 of 1673].