Sailing and Fighting Instructions for His Majesty's Fleet.

Instructions to be observ'd by younger Captains to the Elder.

INSTR. I.

The Flag-ships are to pay a due Respect to the Senior Flags, and not to go to Windward of him or them, but upon necessary Occasions; and every private Ship in the Fleet is to observe the same to the Flag-ships, or their Commander in Chief.

II.

When two Ships of the same Rank are sailing on the same Tack, or on contrary Tacks, and there is a Necessity for one of them to bear up to the other, he that can with the most Convenience bear up, is to do it; but if it be equally convenient to both of them, then the Younger Captain shall bear up for the Elder.

III.

When two Ships of different Rank are sailing on the same Tack, or on contrary Tacks, and there is a Necessity for one of them to bear up for the other, the Ship that can with the most Convenience bear up, is to do it; but if it be equally convenient to both of them, the smaller Rank is to bear up for the greater, although the Ship of the smaller Rank be cammanded by the Elder Captain.

IV.

When a Flag passes any Ship in a Boat, that Ship is only to be Mann'd, and not to Cheer; and where there are Drums, they are to beat a March for an Admiral, two Ruffles for a Vice-Admiral, and one for a Rear-Admiral.

Sailing and Fighting Instructions for His Majesty's Fleet, 1775.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius

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