41. The fleet being in column of fours abreast, by

divisions, to form it into

double columns

Commander-in-chief signals:

From the right of divisions, form double columns. Divisional commanders signal: Division-from the right, form double column.

Take the van division as an illustration: One and two, five and six, continue their course; three and four, and seven and eight, keep four points to starboard under such steam as will enable them to come into column at their proper distances (see Table B) astern of one and two, and five and six, respectively.

42. The fleet being in columns of vessels abreast, by divisions, in natural order, heading N., to form it into column of vessels on the right division, in natural order, that is, with the van leading, and preserving the original direction.

The commander-in-chief signals:

On the right division, form column of vessels— van in front-fleet N.E. (or E.)-right division N. Flag-ship of van division signals: Division N. Flag-ships of centre and rear divisions signal : Head of division N.E. (or E.)*

The van division continues onward at full speed, the leading vessels of the centre and rear divisions keep N.E., while the other vessels stand on N. until in their leaders' wake, when they also come N.E.-all preserving such speed as is prescribed by Table B.† When the column is formed, the fleet proceeds at a uniform rate of speed.

It is evident that the fleet may be formed into column of vessels on the left division, with the rear (in left) in front, according to the same principles, after reversing the fleet. ‡

When the commander-in-chief wishes to leave it optional with the divisional commanders to

*Or they may make general signal to their divisions N.E. or E., when all will oblique or wheel together, and go into column, as shown by the dotted lines.

† An inspection of Fig. 17, manoeuvre 1, shows that this is analogous to the manoeuvre for forming a fleet in line into column of vessels, preserving the original direction, where the speed of the obliquing vessels heading N. E. is seven knots, when that of the leading vessel (division or squadron in this case) is ten knots.

For if the fleet were not reversed, the rear squadron would not be in front, although the rear division led.

come into column, either by obliquing or taking the two sides of the triangle, he omits signalling the course to the fleet.

43. The fleet being in columns of vessels abreast, by divisions, heading N., to form it into column of vessels on the centre division, in natural order; that is, with the van leading, and preserving the original direction.

The commander-in-chief signals:

On the centre division, form column of vessels— van in front.

Flag-ship of van division: Head of division N.N.W. *

Flag-ship of centre division: Division N.

Flag-ship of rear division: Head of division E.† The leading ship of the van division keeps N.N.W., and is followed by the other vessels of the division as they get into her wake, all moving at full speed. The centre division keeps onward at such speed as will enable it to come into

*Or he may make general signal to his division, N.N. W., when all will keep N. N. W., as shown by the dotted lines. † Or general signal to the division E., and move by the flank into column.

In close order, the distance between the divisions is 960 fathoms; it follows, then, that the leader of the van division steering N. N. W. will traverse 2,509 fathoms, and strike the perpendicular A B at a distance of 2,318 fathoms from B, the point of departure of the leader of the centre division, when the leaders should be 960 fathoms apart. Now, 960 taken from 2,318 leaves 1,358. Supposing, then, the van division to be steaming ten knots an hour, we have for the speed of the centre division 5 knots; for 2,509: 1,358:: 10: 5.4+. If the van be steaming fifteen knots, the speed of the centre must be 8 knots, for 10: 5.4+:: 15: 8.1+, etc., etc., etc. It is plain that the same reasoning will apply when all the vessels of the van division oblique together upon the signal N. N. W., as is shown by the dotted lines.

If the divisions were in double column, triple column, etc., they could be formed into double column, triple