NAVITACTICS. 511 



ment of marines in the British service, is one for every gun. The 

 rigging of ships of war, differs so little from that of the largest mer- 

 chant ships, as to require no farther notice in this place, (p. 453.) 



2. Naval Engagements, or battles, may take place either be- 

 tween fleets, or single ships : but the mode of fighting being essen- 

 tially the same in both cases, we shall confine the present descrip- 

 tion to those of the latter kind. When two hostile ships come in 

 sight of each other upon the ocean, the one which happens to be to 

 the windward, or on the side from which the wind blows, is said to 

 have the weather gage. This is considered so great an advantage 

 that ships often manoeuvre some time before fighting, the one to gain, 

 and the other to retain it. If the weather, or windward ship, be of 

 inferior force, it enables her to avoid an action much longer ; and, in 

 the opposite case, she can the more speedily bear down upon her 

 enemy. Moreover, the windward ship is less endangered in action ; as 

 she careens towards the enemy, and exposes less of her side to his 

 fire. A ship sailing with the wind on her right, is said to be on her 

 starboard tack ; but with the wind from the left hand, she is said to 

 be on her larboard or left hand tack. 



In preparing for action, the courses, or lower sails, are usually 

 hauled up, and not used ; though kept in readiness, if required : the 

 ship being most manageable under topsails, top-gallant-sails, gib, and 

 spanker. The crew are called to quarters by beat of drum ; each 

 man taking the station which had previously been assigned to him in 

 drilling. The commander, is stationed in the hinder part of the 

 ship, called the quarterdeck; and his orders are communicated to the 

 lieutenants, or other commanders of sections, or batteries, as also 

 to the sailing-master, and other officers, either directly, or by send- 

 ing his aids, who are usually midshipmen, selected for this pur- 

 pose. The carpenter rigs the pumps ; collects his plugs to stop shot 

 holes ; and has fishes or splits of wood ready for strengthening a 

 crippled mast or spar. The surgeon is stationed in the cockpit, a 

 part of the hold prepared for the purpose, to attend to the wounded. 

 The decks are wetted and sanded, the latter to prevent their being 

 slippery ; and vessels of water are provided to extinguish fire. 

 Finally, the magazine is opened by the gunner and his crew ; and the 

 ammunition served to the powder boys, who pass it to the different 

 guns.* 



Meanwhile, the ship nears the enemy ; and as they sail past, 

 or alongside of each other, the firing commences in close action, 

 if it did not begin at a distance. Each ship, in firing, except 

 with bow and stern chasers, (long guns), must present its side to 

 the enemy ; and then usually fires a broad-side, or nearly half 

 its guns at once. It is generally considered best to fire at the 

 water line of the enemy's ship, (between wind and water), with 

 a view to sink him ; or else at the foot of his masts, with a 

 view to cut them away. Each vessel also strives to obtain a 



* Of Naval Gunnery, which differs only in its details from that of the Artillery, 

 we have no room here to treat. 



