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The commander-in-chief makes signal :

*

From the left centre vessel, form double echelon-right wing to the rear

Which is repeated by the divisional commanders.

The left wing continues its speed; the right wing slows to steerage-way, twelve resuming her speed when thirteen bears N.W. from her, eleven when twelve bears N.W. from her, etc., etc., etc.

Inversely, according to the same principles a fleet in double echelon from the centre may be formed into echelon of vessels.

98. The fleet being in echelon of vessels, to form it into column of vessels.

The commander-in-chief has but to signal the line of bearing and the column will be formed.

For example, take the fleet heading N. with the right wing in advance (as in Fig. 124), and we see that if the commander-in-chief should make general signal N.E. the fleet would be in column of vessels with the van (or right) in front; should the signal be S.W. the column would be the same, with the rear (or left) in front.

* Thirteen's distinguishing pennant must be here hoisted over number 75. See Index of Signals.

To form a fleet from double echelon into column of vessels, break it first into echelon of vessels and then proceed as above.

2d Method.

Let the fleet be in double echelon on the left centre vessel (as in Fig. 121) and the commanderin-chief desire to break it into column of vessels with the van (or right) leading, and we see that he has but to make general signal N.E., and so soon as the whole fleet has obeyed the signal, to follow it up with: From the right, form column of vessels, and the manœuvre will be completed. For the right wing will have formed column so soon as it shall have obeyed the signal to steer N.E., and the left wing will come into column as in manœuvre 1, Figs. 16, 17, and 18.

If, in this case, the commander-in-chief should desire to form the fleet into column with the rear (or left) leading, he would first make general signal N. W., and afterward, From the left, form column of vessels.

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99. The fleet being in echelon of vessels, heading N., to form it into line to the front.

FIG. 126.

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The commander-in-chief makes signal:

Forward into line.

Which is repeated by the divisional commanders.

One slows to steerage-way; the other vessels maintain their speed, slowing in succession, as they get abeam of their leader. When the line is formed, the fleet moves at a uniform rate of speed.

To form the line to the E. or W. (that is, at right angles to the original direction), the commander-in-chief first signals E. or W., and afterward, Forward into line.

To form the line to the rear, he would signal S., and afterward, Forward into line.

A fleet in echelon of vessels, by divisions or squadrons, or in echelon of squadrons, would be thrown into line to the front or rear, according to the same principles.

100. The fleet being in echelon from the centre, heading N., to form it into line to the front.

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The commander-in-chief makes signal:
Forward into line.

Divisional commanders signal: Division-forward into line.

The leading vessel slows to steerage-way; the other vessels keep their speed, each one slowing as she gets up abeam of the leader. When the line is formed, the fleet moves at a uniform rate of speed.

If the fleet were in double echelon from the

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