76. The fleet being in double column, from the centre, heading N., to form it into line to the front. The commander-in-chief makes signal: Flag-ship of van division: Division N.N.E. Flag-ship of centre division: Van squadron* N.N. E.-rear squadron N.N. W.-leading vessels N. Twelve and thirteen slow to steerage-way; the rest of the fleet oblique two points to starboard and port, as shown by the diagram, and come into line as explained in manoeuvre 66, Fig. 100.† To form the double column into line to the rear, the commander-in-chief reverses it (one and twenty-four becoming the leading vessels), and signals: Forward into line, or head of starboard column W. -head of port column E. Flag-ship of van division signals: Head of division E. Flag-ship of rear division: Head of division W. Flag-ship of centre division: Division S. *The van squadron of the centre division is, of course, the leading squadron of that division when the fleet is in column of vessels in natural order-that is (in this case), numbers nine, ten, eleven, and twelve; the rear squadron being thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen. As the distinguishing pennants of the vessels, squadrons, or divisions signalled are, however, always to be hoisted above the signal, no mistake can possibly occur. † It is evident that this is analogous to the case of a column of vessels thrown into line to the front, the van and starboard half of the centre division (the right wing of the fleet) forming the starboard column of vessels, and the rear half of the centre division (or left wing of the fleet) forming the port column. One and twenty-four alter course to E. and W. respectively, and are followed by the vessels of their respective columns. So soon as the commander-in-chief observes that twelve and thirteen are about coming into column, he signals S., and the manœuvre is completed as shown by the diagram B. An inspection of Fig. 32 will show that a fleet in column of divisions from the centre would be formed into line to the front or rear in a similar manner. 77. The fleet being in double columns from the centre of divisions, heading N., to form it into line to the front. Я The commander-in-chief signals: Forward into line. Divisional commanders signal: Van squadron N.N.E.-rear squadron N.N. W.-leading vessels N. Performed by each division as explained in 76, and shown by the diagram A. To form the fleet into line to the rear, the commander-in-chief would reverse it and signal: Forward into line.* While the divisional commanders would signal to the leading vessels of their divisions to keep E. and W., and come into line as explained in 76, and shown by the diagram B. W * Or, Head of port columns E.-head of starboard columns |