Tactics. 
jTOh tind his mate, together with the chest 
of medicines, inslniments, bandages, &c. are 
prepared in the cock-pit ; that is, down the 
hatchway, below the ordinary reach of the 
enemy’s shot. The otBcers and men repair 
to their posts, the powder-room is opened, 
the hatches are all laid, the marines drawn 
up on the forecastle, quarter-deck, and 
poop, the guns are run out and levelled, 
and the courses, (that is, the lower sails) 
are clued up, to prevent their being set on 
tire by the dischaips from the cannon; 
also to render the ship more manageable. 
The greatest attention is always paid to 
taking a good aim before a gun is fired ; 
that every shot may hit some part of the 
enemy’s hull ; the nearer to the water’s edge 
the better. The captain, master, purser, 
&c. remain on deck to fight the ship, and 
to note down all occurrences, while the sig- 
nal-master attends to and answers what- 
ever signals may be tlirown out by the 
commander of the fleet, or division. It is 
ever a primary object to place the ship in 
such a position as may annoy the enemy 
most ; yet, at the same moment, evade his 
principal defences: this is best done by 
laying diagonally upon her quarter, or bow, 
and especially across her stern, so as to 
rake her fore and aft ; whereby her guns 
will soon be dismounted, and the men driven 
fl'om their quar ters. 
This description of the manner in which 
the battle is carried on by each ship, will 
serve as an illustration of the whofe ; but it 
may be necessary to add, that the disposi- 
tion of a fleet must be suited to the posi- 
tion the adversary may have assumed. 
When an enemy opposes a direct line, op- 
posite to that of his own fleet, the admiral 
rarely does more than make the signal for 
line of battle abreast, perhaps a cable’s 
length asunder, thus coming at once to 
close engagement, ship opposed to ship, 
rather the two fleets intermixed alter 
iiafely, their heads laying different ways ; 
if they should pass each other, it is usual to' 
put about, and resume the engagement in 
the fame manner. When the enemy bear 
down in a line a head, it is customary to 
receive them in the same manner, to pre- 
vent their cutting off a part of the line • 
this depends greatly on the direction of the 
wind : but if it be on the beam, that is full 
on the side; or in any direction affording*- 
the means of aiding your van, without d(> 
lay, by a press of sail, such a mode of at- 
tack will subject the enemy to liave his 
own line cut, as was done by Rodnev • 
or doubled upon, as it? the battle of the 
Nile. 
Diiring an engagement, the courses are 
commonly hauled up, as before stated ; the 
top-gallant-sails and stay sails are also furled. 
The movement of each ship is chiefly regu- 
lated by the main and fore-top sails, and the 
jib, reserving the mizen to fill, or to be 
thrown aback, as an aid, either to accelerate 
the ship, or as a check to prevent her pass- 
ing the enemy. The frigates, tenders, and 
other small vessels generally lay to, or 
hover about in the rear, to repeat signals, 
or to aid crippled ships. These, not being 
considered as ships of the line, are not 
attacked, except by vessels of their own 
class ; therefore, when a fleet is not w'ell 
manned, it is common to take all the spare 
hands from such to assist on board the fight- 
ing ships. When a fleet is superior in num- 
bers, it is proper to keep some of them in 
reserve, stationing them behind the weaker 
parts of the line to succour such as may, by 
the loss of masts, &c. become unmanage- 
able, and to take advantage of any opportu- 
nity to chase, and lay aboard of whatever 
■of the enemy’s ships may quit the line for 
the purpose of escaping. In order to ob- 
serve what is going on, the admiral gene- 
rally removes to some frigate, on board 
which he hoists his flag ; near him should 
be some of the best sailing cutters, brigs, 
&c. to convey orders which could not be 
accurately delivered by signal, or by tele- 
graph. 
Boarding is most commonly resorted to 
y piivateers, in their attacks upon mer- 
chant vessels; but among ships of the line 
IS raiely practised. Our commanders are 
perhaps more forward than those of any 
other nation, except the Turks, in this 
kind of enterprke, which is replete with 
hazard. The'best mode of boarding, espe- 
cially if there be any swell, is to keep on 
the enemy’s weather quarter; now and 
then, if the sailing of your ship will allow 
yawing, so as to throw your fire into her 
stern : when, by this means, you have done 
any execution, it will be proper to pass 
close under the enemy’s stern, raking her 
lore and aft with your guns double shotted 
and then lay her aboard upon her lee beam’ 
having your tops well manned to fire 
upon the enemy’s decks, on which also 
gienadcs, stink-pots, fire-balls, &c. should 
be discharged. Having grappled the ship 
to your adversary’s chains, your boarders 
jump into her, under the cover of the fire 
of your small arms. In case of repulse. 
