Part 18 (1/2)

_Sir John Narbrough, Knight, admiral of his majesty's fleet in the Mediterranean seas for this expedition.

Instructions for all commanders to place their s.h.i.+ps for their better fighting and securing the whole fleet if a powerful enemy sets upon us_.

When I hoist my union flag at the mizen peak, I would have every commander in this fleet place himself in order of sailing and battle as prescribed, observing his starboard and larboard s.h.i.+p and leader, either sailing before or by the wind, and so continue sailing in order so long as the signal is abroad.

In case a powerful squadron of s.h.i.+ps falls with our fleet, and will fight us, and we see it most convenient to fight before the wind, and the enemy follow us, I would have every commander place his s.h.i.+ps in this order of sailing prescribed as followeth, and so continue sailing and fighting, doing his utmost to annoy the enemy, so long as shall be required for defence of himself and whole fleet.

_Larboard side_. Portsmouth frigate.

Newcastle frigate.

Samuel and Henry 30 Advice 20 Diamond.

Friends.h.i.+p 12 Lion 20 Bonaventure. 11 John and Joseph 10 Pearl frigate.

Return 10 Benjamin and Elizabeth 14 Concord 26 Fountain 8 Leopard 20 Boneto sloop, Baltam^r.[1]

Plymouth, Admiral.

Spragge frigate, Batchelor.[1]

St. Lucar Merchant 20 Prosperous 30 Sapphire frigate Mary and Martha 30 Delight 9 Olive Branch 10 Italian Merchant 30 Tiger 30 James galley Dragon 18 Samuel and Mary 24 Mediterranean 16 James Merchant 20 King-fisher frigate.

_Starboard side_. Portland frigate.

In case the enemy be to leeward of us, and force us to fight by the wind, then I would have each s.h.i.+p in this fleet to follow each other in a line as afore prescribed, either wing leading the van as the occasion shall require.

In case I would have the van to tack first (in time of service) I will spread the union flag at the flagstaff at the fore topmast-head, and if I would have the rear of the fleet to tack first I will spread the union flag at the flagstaff at the mizen topmast-head, each commander being [ready] to take notice of the said signals, and to act accordingly, following each other as prescribed, and be careful to a.s.sist and relieve any that is in necessity.

In case of separation by foul weather, or by any inevitable accident, and the wind blows hard westerly, then Zante Road is the place appointed for rendezvous.

Given under my hand and on board his majesty's s.h.i.+p Plymouth, at an anchor in Zante Road.

This 4th of May, 1678.

JOHN NARBROUGH.

FOOTNOTE:

[1] Neither Baltimore nor Batchelor nor any similar names of commissioned officers occur in Pepys's Navy List, 1660-88. Tanner, _op.

cit._

III

THE LAST STUART ORDERS

INTRODUCTORY

The next set of orders we have are those drawn up by George Legge, first Lord Dartmouth, for the fleet with which he was entrusted by James II, to prevent the landing of William of Orange in 1688. The only known copy of them is in the _Sloane MSS._ 3650. It is unfortunately not complete, the last few articles with the date and signature being missing, so that there is no direct evidence that it related to this fleet. There can however be no doubt about the matter. For it is followed by the battle order of a fleet in which both s.h.i.+ps and captains correspond exactly with that which Dartmouth commanded in 1688. The only other fleet which he commanded was that which in 1683 proceeded to the Straits to carry out the evacuation of Tangier, and it was not large enough to require such a set of instructions.