INSTRUCTION BOOK TO THE DAY SIGNALS. All the instructions are arranged and consolidated in one book under general heads, having a copious alphabetical index annexed; and it is huinbly submitted, whether it may not be deemed proper to print this Instruction Book in folio, as a size more convenient than octavo for being left open on a table under either of the general heads or running titles corresponding to the situation of the fleet; for were it printed octavo size, the same as the Signal Book, it would be too thick and bulky to remain open on a table. On the other hand, the necessity of having the Instruction Book carried on the quarter-deck seldom occurs, but the Signal Book is always necessary to have recourse to, and, as such, an octavo is the most convenient form for the latter, more particularly as the signals are now arranged for that purpose. In order to avoid all ambiguity and confusion, one mode of technical expression has been adhered to, both in the Signal Book and Instruction; viz. squadrons, to express the three component parts of a fleet, either in the order of sailing or in line of battle: divisions, to express such parts into which squadrons may be divided either in the order of sailing by divisions, or in the line of battle: column is applied only to the fleet in the order of sailing in two columns or grand divisions.

The only chain of new matter that has been attempted to be introduced into earl Howe's General Instructions for Ships of War are the following instructions for the conduct of the fleet in the execution of the principal movements of the evolutions, which are illustrated by figures projected on principles consonant to those of the best naval tactitians, and in strict conformity to the ideas of lord Howe, diffused in his General Instructions. In the practice of evolutions it is obvious that rules for the execution of the movements of a fleet in order of battle are useful and requisite; and the want of which has been often regretted by flag-officers and captains, more especially, as a due observance of them will tend to make the squadrons or divisions move with promptitude and regularity in the order indicated by general signal.

I. Instructions for the conduct of the fleet in the execution of the principal movements of the evolutions, as referred to in the preceding explanatory observations.

When the admiral makes general signals, for any intended evolution, it is to be understood that the movements thereby indicated are to be put in execution the instant the preparative flag is hauled down, and the general signal left flying; and the respective commanders of squadrons, instead of repeating such general signals, are (so soon as conveniently may be after answering it) to prepare their squadrons to act together, or in succession, by putting abroad the signal corresponding to the established movements herein contained; and, when the admiral hauls down the preparative flag to the evolution, the commanders of squadrons are likewise to haul down the preparative to the movements, that the squadrons, divisions, or ships denoted may forthwith put the same in execution.

To the end that the squadrons or divisions may act with regularity and promptitude, in the formation of the evolution, indicated by general signal, and thereby preserve in all movements the compact order necessary, the subordinate flag-officers, and captains of ships respectively, are enjoined to adhere to the established instructions to the movements, and not to deviate from them unless upon some extraordinary emergency rendering the same expedient.

II. Instructions to the movements of the principal positions, in forming from the order of sailing in three squadrons, to the order and line of battle on the centre squadron, starboard or larboard lines of bearing, as may be indicated by general signal.

and in the prescribed order of battle, on the POSITION I. Forming on the centre squadron,

starboard tack.

Execution.-See plate II. fig. 1. The centre squadron (C—c) to keep under an easy sail, while the van (V-v) bear up together, and preserve relative bearing and distance (R-B), and, when they bring the ships of the centre squadron (C) upon the line of bearing, they are to haul their wind together upon the starboard tack. The ships of the rear squadron (R-r) are at the same time to tack together, preserving relative bearing and distance (R-B), and, when arrived in the wake of the sternmost ship of the centre squadron, they are to re-tack and form the order of battle on the starboard tack.

POSITION II. The signal being made for forming the line of battle on the centre squadron, the van becoming the rear, and the rear the van.

Execution.-See plate II. fig. 2. The ships of the van squadron (V) are to bear up together, preserving relative bearing and distance (R-B), and when arrived in the wake of the centre squadron (C-c) they are to haul their wind together, on the starboard tack, according to signal; the centre at the same time keeping under an easy sail; while the ships of the rear squadron (R-r) preserve order with a press of sail; and when advanced so far that the sternmost and leewardmost ship can fetch into her station a-head of the weathermost ship of the centre (which she is to signify by showing her pendant) the rear squadron (R-r) then tack together, preserving relative bearing and distance (R-B), and stand on until they can bring the centre squadron (C-c) upon the line of bearing, then re-tack together, and form the line as indicated by signal.

POSITION III. The signal made for forming the line of battle, on the centre squadron, the van becoming the centre, and the centre the van of the line.

Execution. The ships of the van squadron are to bear up together, and, when arrived in the wake of the centre, they are to haul their wind together; the centre at the same time preserving order, with a press of sail, are to take their stations in the van of the line, while the ships of the rear squadron tack together, and when arrived in the wake of the van, now becoming the centre, they are to re-tack together and form the line.

III. Instructions to the movements of the principal positions in forming from the order of sailing to the order or line of battle on the weather squadron, starboard or larboard lines of bearing, as may be indicated by signal. POSITION IV. The signal being made for forming in the prescribed order of battle on the weather squadron.

Execution.-See plate III. fig. 1. The ships of the centre squadron (C-c) and rear squadron (R-r) are to tack together, and preserve their relative bearings and distance (R-B), and when the centre (C-c) arrive at the wake of the van squadron (V-v) then (preserving order and under an easy sail) they are to re-tack together, and the rear squadron (R-r) is to observe the like with regard to the centre, and form the line. N. B. The ships of the rear squadron (R―r) having a greater distance to run, before they can re-tack together, it may be found necessary for the commander of the squadron to make the signal for them to make all possible sail, preserving the same order.

POSITION V.-The signal made for forming the line of battle, on the weather squadron, the van becoming the rear, and the rear the van.

Execution. See plate III. fig. 2. The ships of the van squadron (V-v) are to preserve order and keep under an easy sail (or if necessary to bring to) while the centre (C-c) and rear (R—r) keep on under a press of sail, and when the sternmost ship () of the centre squadron is so far advanced at (1) as to be able to fetch a-head of the van (V-v) (which she is to make known by showing her pendant), then the centre squadron is to tack together, preserving relative bear ing and distance (R-B), and when they bring the van upon the line of bearing (V—v) re-tack together and form the line. The rear squadron (R-r) is to observe the same movements with regard to the centre.

POSITION VI.-The signal made for forming the line of battle, on the weather squadron, the van becoming the centre, and the centre the van. Execution. The ships of the van squadron are to preserve order, and keep under a very easy sail.

The ships of the centre squadron are to preserve order, and carry a press of sail, until the sternmost ship can fetch a-head of the head most ship of the van squadron (which she is to signify by her pendant), then tack together, and, when they have brought the van upon the line of bearing, re-tack together, and haul on either line of bearing indicated. At the same time the ships of the rear squadron are to tack together, and when arrived in the wake of the van (now becoming the centre) they re-tack together, and form the line.

N. B. It was not thought necessary to illustrate this movement by a figure, as it can be easily understood by referring to that of position V.

IV. Instructions to the movements of the principal positions in forming from the order of sailing in three squadrons to the order or line of battle on the lee squadron, starboard or larboard lines of bearing, as may be indicated by signal.

POSITION VII.-The signal made for forming in the prescribed order of battle on the lee squadron.

Execution.-See plate IV. fig. 1. The ships of the van and centre squadrons (V-v) and (C—c) are to bear up together about two points, preserving relative bearings (R-B); and, when they bring the rear on the line of bearing (R-r), they are to haul up together, and form the line, the rear (R-r) at the same time preserving order, and keeping under an easy sail.

POSITION VIII.-The signal made for forming the line of battle, on the lee squadron, the van becoming the rear, and the rear the van.

Execution.-See plate IV. fig. 2. The ships of the van squadron (V-v) are to bear up together about six points, while the ships of the centre (C—c) bear up together about two points, preserving relative bearing (R-B), the rear (R―r) preserve order under a press of sail, and, so soon as the centre (C-c) have got into the wake of the rear (R-r), they are to haul up together in the line; and the ships of the van are to observe the same movement with regard to the centre.

POSITION IX.-The signal being made for forming the line of battle, on the lee squadron, the van becoming the centre, and the centre the van of the line.

Execution. The ships of the centre squadron bear up together about one point, and press sail. The van bear up together about three points; and the rear preserve order under an easy sail. When the ships of the centre squadron have brought the rear upon the line of bearing, they are to haul up together in the line, and the van is to observe the same with regard to the centre. N. B. By referring to figure 2, position VIII., this movement will be easily understood.

NIGHT SIGNALS.

Observations on the numerary night signals established in the navy.-The code of night-signals now used had been chiefly arranged from a plan devised by that ornament to his profession the late admiral Kempenfelt, on numerary principles, by the combination of guns, lights, and false fires. Sir Hyde Parker, captain of the fleet under admiral lord Hood, having in his possession admiral Kempenfelt's ideas in MS., relative to this new mode of communicating signals in the night, and which from his lamented death had not been brought to maturity; they were put into the hands of Mr. M'Arthur, secretary to the commander-in-chief, at the time he was as already noticed preparing, in the autumn of 1792, a new arrangement of earl Howe's Day Signals and Instructions, to be submitted to the consideration of the admiralty. From these original sources, Mr. M'Arthur presented to the lords commissioners of the admiralty in a digested form, with some alterations and additions, the Numerary Code of Night Signals alluded to.

Admiral Kempenfelt having left no instructions to his plan, the principal part of earl Howe's old Night Instructions was very judiciously selected, so far as was applicable to the New Code of Night Signals; but some additional instructions were deemed necessary to complete the