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TACTICS. 
and they fell in detail ; vrith the exception 
of a very small portion, which escaped by 
putting out to «ea, whither we were not itr 
a condition to follow with any hopes ot 
overtaking them. See fig. 20. 
In the famous battle of Trafalgar, in 
which the immortal Nelson quitted his 
earthly frame, the combined fleeU were 
drawn up in the form of a crescent, and 
awaited our attack, which was made in a 
double column, apparently bearing down 
upon their centre. This novel mode of 
coming into action kept the enemy com- 
pletely in suspense : it threatened every pai t 
of their line. If our two columns had turned 
the same way, tiiey would have been able 
to do infinite damage in that quarter, be- 
fore the other wing of the enemy could 
come up to succour their overpowered 
friends : if the two columns should cut 
through the centre, tliey must destroy it, 
and eft’ectually separate the two wings, so 
as to leave them ignorant of each other’s 
fate. Such was the fact: the enemy, though 
superior in numbers, lost no less than nine- 
teen sail of the line. The reader may form 
some conception of that glorious event by 
a reference to fig. 21. 
Perhaps nothing can place a fleet in a 
more dangerous state, and render it less 
able to resist an attack, than making sail 
before the wind, in aline of battle a-head, 
to avoid a pursuing enemy. In such a case, 
whenever the rear of that line can be 
brought to action, it becomes subject to an 
accumulating force, in consequence of the 
pursuing fleet thickening upon it; while 
the van of its own line, being to leeward, 
must make many tacks, or at least two long 
ones, before it can succour its rear. The 
disadvantage must be very great even if all 
the ships, on both sides, sail upon an exact 
equality; but, as that is never the case, 
many of the flying ships will be probably 
driven completely to leeward, and never be 
able to afford the smallest assistance. Yet 
British seamen, even when compelled fo 
retire before a very superior force, gene- 
rally manage, by some well contiived de- 
vice, to intimidate their pursuers, or to put 
on so good a face, as to convince them of 
the dear price at which the victory is to be 
bought. Of this we cannot quote a more 
appropriate instance than the escape of five 
sail of our ships, under the command of 
Admiral Cornwallis, from no less than nine- 
teen sail of French ships of the Ime: an 
escape resulting entirely from the raanocn- 
vrea of the British Admiral ; whereby he 
fully conviuced the French that a larga 
force was at hand. 
The present unparalleled State of dis- 
cipline, throughout our navy, would, of it- 
self give us the command of the ocean ; 
but we are greatly indebted, at the same 
time, to an excellent code of signals, both 
for the day and the night, whereby every 
operation and nianceiivre, may be directed 
with readiness and perspicuity. The day- 
signals are, for the most part, made by flags, 
jacks, and pennants; the night signals by 
lanterns, blue lights, maroons, &c.: in both, 
the firing of guns, either to windward or 
to leeward, occasionally is added. When 
fleets are large, or their duty extensive, 
especially in cruizing to intercept a convoy 
of merchant vessels, &c. there are repeating 
frigates, which display the several signals 
made by the commander; so that they may 
be communicated to all the vessels ; every 
signal being kept flying until answered by 
all ships to which they may relate. 
We sliall now offer to our readers some 
minutia; relative to the fighting of a ship, 
under ordinary circumstances; observing, 
that under the head of Navigation much 
will be found to instruct the learner in as- 
certaining a vessel’s course, way, &e. ; aud 
under the, head of Quadrant what relates 
to the common mode of taking observa- 
tions, for the purpose of ascertaining a ves- 
sel’s locality. 
When orders are given to “ clear ship for 
action,” the boatswain and his mates whis- 
tle, and call, at the various hatchways, to 
warn all who are between decks : the ham- 
mocks, or beds, are instantly unhooked, 
packed, and sent on deck, to be put into 
the nettings on the waist, forecastle, quar- 
ters, poop, &c. where they serve as an ex- 
cellent defence against musketry. While 
some of the seamen are thus employed be- 
tween decks, others are aloft seeming the 
yards in chain slings, so as to prevent them 
from falling when the haul-yards may be 
severed by cannon shot ; materials for re- 
pairing the rigging are also placed in readi- 
ness ; shot-tdiigs, for stopping holes near, 
or under, the surface of the water, are dis- 
pensed; and every attention is paid to 
ascertain that the pumps are. in order, so 
as to clear the hold in case of leaks. The 
decks are cleared of every incumbrance, by 
the removal of chests, &c. into the bold; 
the various gun-tackles are inspected ; and 
all the necessary implements, such as pow- 
der-ladles, worms, rammers, sponges, &c. 
are duly supplied. All being ready, the sur- 
