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33. The fleet being in double columns, from the right of divisions to form it into columns of fours.

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

Flag-ship of divisions signal: Division-form columns of fours-left oblique.

Each division manœuvres precisely as in 32.

34. The fleet being in column of vessels, in natural order, heading N., to form it into columns of vessels abreast, by divisions, preserving the original direction.

To form it on the van division.

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The commander-in-chief signals:

On the van division-form columns of vessels abreast by divisions, in natural order, heading N. Flag-ship of van division signals Division N. Flag-ships of centre and rear divisions signal:* Head of division N.N.W.

The van division keeps its course under steerage-way; the leading ship of each of the other divisions obliques at once, at full speed to N.N.W.; the other vessels follow their leaders. When nine finds one bearing from her on a line perpendicular to the course (E. is the bearing in this case), she so regulates her speed as to maintain this bearing until she is at the proper distance from her, when she comes to the course under steerage-way and hoists the position pennant for the guidance of seventeen, which now manœuvres with respect to nine, precisely as nine has with respect to one. Of course, so soon as nine and seventeen slow, the vessels astern of them, respectively, slow.

* If the divisional commanders prefer it, they may make general signal to the vessels under their command N. N. W., in which case all will keep N.N. W., being careful to preserve their bearing N. and S. from each other, so that when they come N. again, they will be in the wake of their leaders.

When the columns are formed the fleet resumes its speed.

It is evident that the fleet can be formed into columns of vessels abreast on the leading division, by a right oblique as well, but then the van. division would be on the left.

To form it on the centre division.

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The commander-in-chief signals:

On the centre division-form columns of vessels abreast by divisions in natural order, heading N. Flag-ship of van division: Division E.* Flag-ship of centre division: Division N.

Flag-ship of rear division: Head of division N.N.W.†

The van division comes E. and slows to steerage-way, until it has gained the proper distance from the centre division (continuing onward under steerage-way), when it comes N. by signal from the divisional commander. The leader of the rear division keeps N.N.W. at full speed, and is followed by the other vessels of this division, as they get into his wake. When seventeen finds nine bearing from her, on a line perpendicular to the course signalled by the commander-inchief (E. is the bearing in this case), she so regulates her speed as to maintain this bearing un

*Or the divisional commander may signal head of division E., when the leading vessel (one) alone would come E., the other vessels standing on until in her wake before steering E., and again getting in her wake, after she has come N., before steering N. If the signal of the commander-in-chief were to form in reverse order, the van division would keep W., and the rear one N. N.E.

If the divisional commander prefers it, he may make general signal to the vessels under his command N. N. W., in which case all will keep N. N. W., being careful to preserve their bearing N. and S. from each other, so that when they come N. again, they will be in the wake of their leaders.

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