[3] Dict.  Nat.  Biog. vol. ii. p. 33.

[4] Barrow, Life of Anson, p. 162

[5] Observations on Naval Tactics, &c., p. 27.

[6] In the Admiralty Library.  It is undated, but assigned to 1792-3.  For the reasons for identifying it as Howe’s second code see post, pp. 234-7.  In his first code Howe adopted Hood’s wording almost exactly; see post, p. 236.

[7] Letters of Sir Samuel Hood, p. 46; and cf. post, p. 228 n.

ADMIRAL VERNON, circa 1740.

[+Mathews-Lestock Pamphlets+.[1]]

An Additional Instruction to be added to the Fighting Instructions.

In case of meeting any squadron of the enemy’s ships, whose number may be less than those of the squadron of his majesty’s ships under my command, and that I would have any of the smaller ships quit the line, I will in such case make the signal for speaking with the captain of that ship I would have quit the line; and at the same time I will put a flag, striped yellow and white, at the flagstaff at the main topmast-head, upon which the said ship or ships are to quit the line and the next ships are to close the line, for having our ships of greatest force to form a line just equal to the enemy’s.  And as, upon the squadrons engaging, it is not to be expected that the ships withdrawn out of the line can see or distinguish signals at such a juncture, it is therefore strictly enjoined and required of such captain or captains, who shall have their signal or signals made to withdraw out of the line, to demean themselves as a corps de reserve to the main squadron, and to place themselves in the best situation for giving relief to any ship of the squadron that may be disabled or hardest pressed by the enemy, having in the first place regard to the ship I shall have my flag on board, as where the honour of his majesty’s flag is principally concerned.  And as it is morally impossible to fix any general rule to occurrences that must be regulated from the weather and the enemy’s disposition, this is left to the respective captain’s judgment that shall be ordered out of the line to govern himself by as becomes an officer of prudence, and as he will answer the contrary at his peril.

Memorandum.—­That whereas all signals for the respective captains of the squadron are at some one of the mast-heads, and as when we are in line of battle or in other situations it may be difficult for the ships to distinguish their signal, in such case you are to take notice that your signal will be made by fixing the pennant higher upon the topgallant shrouds, so as it may be most conspicuous to be seen by the respective ship it is made for.

A second Additional Instruction to the Fighting Instructions.

If, at any time after our ships being engaged with any squadron of the enemy’s ships, the admiral shall judge it proper to come to a closer engagement with the enemy than at the distance we first began to engage, the admiral will hoist a union flag at the main topmast-head and fire a gun on the opposite side to which he is engaged with the enemy, when every ship is to obey the signal, taking the distance from the centre; and if the admiral would have any particular ship do so he will make the same signal with the signal for the captain of that ship.