Page images
PDF
EPUB

30. The fleet being in columns of vessels, from the right of divisions to form it into triple columns.

[blocks in formation]

Commander-in-chief and divisional commanders signal, and the manoeuvre is performed by each division, precisely as described in 29. There being but two vessels in each division to bring up the rear, they are disposed on the flanks.

It is evident that the divisions can be formed into columns of fours, etc., etc., accoding to the same principles.

*8

31. The fleet being in double column, in natural order, to form it into triple column.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

The commander-in-chief signals:
Form triple column-left oblique.

Flag-ships of divisions signal: Division-form triple column-left oblique.

One, two, seven, eight, nineteen and twenty continue onward under steerage-way; four, ten, sixteen and twenty-two keep four points to star

board under steerage-way, and come into column in the wake of one, seven, thirteen, and nineteen respectively; the other vessels come two points to port at full speed, and manoeuvreing get into position as in 29.

It is evident that the fleet, if steaming in double columns by divisions (as in Fig. 23), can be formed into triple columns by divisions, according to the same principles.

32. The fleet being in double column, in natural order, to form it into columns of fours.

[blocks in formation]

The commander-in-chief signals:
Form column of fours*-left oblique.

Flag-ships of divisions signal: Division-form column of fours-left oblique.

One, two, five, six, nine, ten, thirteen, fourteen, seventeen, eighteen, twenty-one, and twenty-two continue onward under steerage-way; the other vessels keep two points to port at full speed. When the latter find the former bearing from them on a line perpendicular to the course, they so regulate their speed as to maintain this bearing until they are at the proper distance from them, when they come to the course under steerage-way. To take the leading vessels as an illustration: When three finds one and two bearing from her on a line perpendicular to the course, she so regulates her speed as to maintain this bearing until she is at the proper distance from them, when she comes to the course under steerage-way, and hoists the position pennant for the guidance of four, which now forms on her.

It is evident that the fleet can be formed into column of sixes, eights,† etc., etc., according to the same principle.

* In this case, column of squadrons, and the signal may be as well: Form column of squadrons.

In this case, column of divisions. (See Fig. 25.)

« PreviousContinue »