nothing else than a variety of particular actions of single ships with
each other, in a line of battle; it appears necessary, according to the
plan of this work, to begin by describing the latter, and then proceed
to represent the usual manner of conducting the former.
The whole oeconomy of a naval engagement may be arranged under the
following heads, viz. the preparation; the action; and the repair, or
refitting, for the purposes of navigation.
The preparation is began by issuing the order to clear the ship for
action, which is repeated by the boatswain and his mates at all the
_hatchways_ or stair-cases, leading to the different batteries. As the
management of the artillery in a vessel of war requires a considerable
number of men, it is evident that the officers and sailors must be
restrained to a narrow space in their usual habitations, in order to
preserve the internal regularity of the ship. Hence the _hammocs_, or
hanging-beds, of the latter are crowded together as close as possible
between the decks, each of them being limited to the breadth of fourteen
inches. They are hung parallel to each other, in rows stretching from
one side of the ship to the other, nearly throughout her whole length,
so as to admit of no passage but by stooping under them. As the cannon
therefore cannot be worked while the hammocs are suspended in this
situation, it becomes necessary to remove them as quick as possible. By
this circumstance a double advantage is obtained: the batteries of
cannon are immediately cleared of an incumbrance, and the hammocs are
converted into a sort of parapet, to prevent the execution of small-shot
on the _quarter-deck_, _tops_, and _fore-castle_. At the summons of the
boatswain, _Up all hammocs!_ every sailor repairs to his own, and,
having stowed his bedding properly, he cords it up firmly with a
_lashing_, or line provided for that purpose. He then carries it to the
quarter-deck, poop, or forecastle, or wherever it may be necessary. As
each side of the quarter-deck and poop is furnished with a double
net-work, supported by iron cranes fixed immediately above the _gunnel_
or top of the ship’s-side; the hammocs thus corded are firmly stowed by
the quarter-master between the two parts of the netting, so as to form
an excellent barrier. The tops, waiste, and fore-castle, are then fenced
in the same manner.
Whilst these offices are performed below, the boatswain and his mates
are employed in securing the sail-yards, to prevent them from tumbling
down when the ship is cannonaded, as she might thereby be disabled, and
rendered incapable of attack, retreat, or pursuit. The yards are now
likewise secured by strong chains, or ropes, additional to those by
which they are usually suspended. The boatswain also provides the
necessary materials to repair the rigging, wherever it may be damaged by
the shot of the enemy; and to supply whatever parts of it may be
entirely destroyed. The carpenter and his crew in the meanwhile prepare
his shot-plugs and mauls, to close up any dangerous breaches that may be
made near the surface of the water; and provide the iron-work necessary
to refit the chain-pumps, in case their machinery should be wounded in
the engagement. The gunner with his mates and quarter-gunners is busied
in examining the cannon of the different batteries, to see that their
charges are thoroughly dry and fit for execution: to have every thing
ready for furnishing the great guns and small arms with powder, as soon
as the action begins: and to keep a sufficient number of cartridges
continually filled, to supply the place of those expended in battle. The
master and his mates are attentive to have the sails properly trimmed,
according to the situation of the ship; and to reduce or multiply them,
as occasion requires, with all possible expedition. The lieutenants
visit the different decks, to see that they are effectually cleared of
all incumbrance, so that nothing may retard the execution of the
artillery: and to enjoin the other officers to diligence and alertness,
in making the necessary dispositions for the expected engagement, so
that every thing may be in readiness at a moment’s warning.
When the hostile ships have approached each other to a competent
distance, the drums beat to arms. The boatswain and his mates pipe, _all
hands to quarters!_ at every hatchway. All the persons appointed to
manage the great guns, immediately repair to their respective stations.
The crows, handspikes, rammers, spunges, powder-horns, matches, and
train tackles, are placed in order by the side of every cannon. The
hatches are immediately laid, to prevent any one from deserting his post
by escaping into the lower apartments. The marines are drawn up in rank
and file, on the quarter-deck, poop, and fore-castle. The lashings of
the great guns are cast loose, and the tompions withdrawn. The whole
artillery, above and below, is run out at the ports, and levelled to the
point-blank range ready for firing.
The necessary preparations being completed, and the officers and crew
ready at their respective stations, to obey the order, the commencement
of the action is determined by the mutual distance and situation of the
adverse ships, or by the signal from the commander in chief of the fleet
or squadron. The cannon being levelled in parallel rows, projecting from
the ship’s side, the most natural order of battle is evidently to range
the ships abreast of each other, especially if the engagement is
general. The most convenient distance is probably within the point-blank
range of a musket, so that all the artillery may do effectual execution.
The combat usually begins by a vigorous cannonade, accompanied with the
whole efforts of the swivel-guns and the small arms. The method of
firing in platoons, or vollies of cannon at once, appears inconvenient
in the sea-service, and perhaps should never be attempted, unless in the
battering of a fortification. The sides and decks of the ship, although
sufficiently strong for all the purposes of war, would be too much
shaken by so violent an explosion and recoil. The general rule observed
on this occasion throughout the ship, is to load, fire, and spunge, the
guns with all possible expedition, yet without confusion or
precipitation. The captain of each gun is particularly enjoined to fire
only when the piece is properly directed to its object, that the shot
may not be fruitlessly expended. The lieutenants who command the
different batteries, traverse the deck to see that the battle is
prosecuted with vivacity; and to exhort and animate the men to their
duty. The midshipmen second these injunctions, and give the necessary
assistance wherever it may be required, at the guns committed to their
charge.
The gunner should be particularly attentive that all the artillery is
sufficiently supplied with powder, and that the cartridges are carefully
conveyed along the decks in covered boxes. The havoc produced by a
continuation of this mutual assault may be readily conjectured by the
reader’s imagination: battering, penetrating, and splintering the sides
and decks; shattering or dismounting the cannon; mangling and destroying
the rigging; cutting asunder, or carrying away the masts and yards;
piercing and tearing the sails so as to render them useless; and
wounding, disabling, or killing the ship’s company! The comparative
vigour and resolution of the assailants to effect these pernicious
consequences in each other, generally determine their success or defeat:
I say generally, because the fate of the combat may sometimes be decided
by an unforeseen incident, equally fortunate for the one and fatal to
the other. The defeated ship having acknowledged the victory, by
striking her colours, is immediately taken possession of by the
conqueror, who secures her officers and crew as prisoners in his own
ship; and invests his principal officer with the command of the prize
until a captain is appointed by the commander in chief.
The engagement being concluded, they begin the repair: the cannon are
secured by their breechings and tackles, with all convenient expedition.
Whatever sails have been rendered unserviceable are unbent; and the
wounded masts and yards struck upon the deck, and _fished_, or replaced
by others. The standing rigging is _knotted_, and the running rigging
spliced wherever necessary. Proper sails are bent in the room of those
which have been displaced as useless. The carpenter and his crew are
employed in repairing the breaches made in the ship’s hull, by
shot-plugs, pieces of plank, and sheet-lead. The gunner and his
assistants are busied in replenishing the allotted number of charged
cartridges, to supply the place of those which have been expended, and
in refitting whatever furniture of the cannon may have been damaged by
the late action.
Such is the usual process and consequences of an engagement between two
ships of war, which may be considered as an epitome of a general battle
between fleets or squadrons, The latter, however, involves a greater
variety of incidents, and necessarily requires more comprehensive skill
and judgment in the commanding officer.
When the admiral, or commander in chief, of a naval armament has
discovered an enemy’s fleet, his principal concern is usually to
approach it, and endeavour to come to action as soon as possible. Every
inferior consideration must be sacrificed to this important object; and
every rule of action should tend to hasten and prepare for so material
an event. The state of the wind, and the situation of his adversary,
will, in some measure, dictate the conduct necessary to be pursued with
regard to the disposition of his ships on this occasion. To facilitate
the execution of the admiral’s orders, the whole fleet is ranged into
three squadrons, each of which is classed into three divisions, under
the command of different officers. Before the action begins, the adverse
fleets are commonly drawn up in two lines parallel to each other, and
close-hauled. We have endeavoured to explain the propriety and necessity
of this disposition in the article _Line_. As soon as the admiral
displays the signal for the line of battle, the several divisions
separate from the columns, in which they were disposed in the usual
order of sailing, and every ship crouds into its station in the _wake_,
of the next a-head: and a proper distance from each other, which is
generally about fifty fathom, is regularly observed from the van to the
rear. The admiral, however, will, occasionally, contract or extend his
line, so as to conform to the length of that of his adversary, whose
neglect, or inferior skill, on this occasion, he will naturally convert
to his own advantage; as well as to prevent his own line from being
_doubled_, a circumstance which might throw his van and rear into
confusion.
When the adverse fleets approach each other, the _courses_ are commonly
hauled up in the brails, and the top-gallant sails and stay sails
furled. The movement of each ship is chiefly regulated by the main and
fore-top sails, and the jib; the mizen-top sail being reserved to hasten
or retard the course of the ship, and, in fine, by _filling_ or
_backing_, _hoisting_ or _lowering_ it, to determine her velocity.
The frigates, tenders, and fire-ships, being also hauled upon a wind,
lie at some distance, ready to execute the admiral’s orders, or those of
his seconds, leaving the line of battle between them and the enemy. If
there are any transports and store-ships attendant on the fleet, these
are disposed still further distant from the action. If the fleet is
superior in number to that of the enemy, the admiral usually selects a
body of reserve from the different squadrons, which will always be of
use to cover the fire-ships, bomb-vessels, &c. and may fall into the
line in any case of necessity: these also are stationed at a convenient
distance from the line, and should evidently be opposite to the weakest
parts thereof.
And here it may not be improper to observe, with an ingenious French
author[20], that order and discipline give additional strength and
activity to a fleet. If thus a double advantage is acquired by every
fleet, it is certainly more favourable to the inferior, which may
thereby change its disposition with greater facility and dispatch than
one more numerous, yet without being separated. When courage is equal to
both, good order is then the only resource of the smaller number. Hence
we may infer that a smaller squadron of men of war, whose officers are
perfectly disciplined in working their ships, may, by its superior
dexterity, vanquish a more powerful one, even at the commencement of the
fight; because the latter being less expert in the order of battle,
will, by its separation, suffer many of the ships to remain useless, or
not sufficiently near, to protect each other[21].
The signal for a general engagement is usually displayed when the
opposite fleets are sufficiently within the _range_ of point-blank shot,
so that they may level the artillery with certainty of execution, which
is near enough for a line of battle. The action is begun and carried on
throughout the fleet, in the manner we have already described between
single ships, at which time the admiral carries little sail, observing,
however, to regulate his own motions by those of the enemy. The ships of
the line mean while keep close in their stations, none of which should
hesitate to advance in their order, although interrupted by the
situation of some ship a-head, which has negligently fallen astern of
her station.
Such is now the practice of naval war, that the necessary order of
battle, and the fabric of our ships, very seldom permit the assault of
_boarding_, unless in single actions. No captain ought therefore to
abandon his station in the line, under any pretence whatsoever, unless
his ship is too much disabled to continue the combat. The small quantity
of sail carried on this occasion will permit the bulk of the fleet,
altho’ somewhat impaired, to continue their cannonade a long time
without quitting the line.
An ambition to distinguish himself should never seduce any captain to
break the line, in order to atchieve any distant enterprize, however the
prospect may flatter him with success. He ought to wait the signal of
the admiral or his commanding officer; because it is more essential to
preserve the regularity of a close line, which constitutes the principal
force of the fleet, than to prosecute a particular action, which,
although brilliant in itself, has seldom any material consequences,
unless its object is to seize a flag-ship, and even this can only be
justified by success[22].
The various exigencies of the combat call forth the skill and resources
of the admiral, to keep his line as complete as possible, when it has
been unequally attacked; by ordering ships from those in reserve, to
supply the place of others which have suffered greatly by the action; by
directing his fire-ships at a convenient time to fall aboard the enemy;
by detaching ships from one part of the line or wing which is stronger,
to another which is greatly pressed by superior force, and requires
assistance. His vigilance is ever necessary to review the situation of
the enemy from van to rear, every motion of whom he should, if possible,
anticipate and frustrate. He should seize the favourable moments of
occasion, which are rapid in their progress, and never return. Far from
being disconcerted by any unforeseen incident, he should endeavour, if
possible, to make it subservient to his design. His experience and
reflection will naturally furnish him with every method of intelligence
to discover the state of his different squadrons and divisions. Signals
of enquiry and answers; of request and assent; of command and obedience;
will be displayed and repeated on this occasion. Tenders and boats will
also continually be detached between the admiral and the commanders of
the several squadrons or divisions.
As the danger presses on him, he ought to be fortified by resolution and
presence of mind, because the whole fleet is committed to his charge,
and the conduct of his officers may, in a great degree, be influenced by
his intrepidity and perseverance. In short, his renown or infamy may
depend on the fate of the day.
If he conquers in battle, he ought to prosecute his victory as much as
possible, by seizing, burning, or destroying the enemies ships. If he is
defeated, he should endeavour by every resource his experience can
suggest, to have as many of his fleet as possible; by employing his
tenders, &c. to take out the wounded and put fresh men in their places;
by towing the disabled ships to a competent distance, and by preventing
the execution of the enemies fire-ships. In order to retreat with more
security, he may judge it expedient to range his fleet into the form of
an half-moon, placing himself in the center. By this disposition the
enemy’s ships which attempt to fall upon his rear, will at once expose
themselves to the fire of the admiral, and his seconds, in a
disadvantageous situation; a circumstance which will serve to facilitate
the escape of his own ships, and retard the pursuit of those of his
adversary.
If his fleet is too much extended by this arrangement, the wings or
quarters are easily closed, and the half-moon rendered more complete; in
the midst of which may be placed his store-ships, tenders, &c. In
flying, or retreating, the uncertainty of the weather is to be
considered: it may become calm, or the wind may shift in his favour. His
schemes may be assisted by the approach of night, or the proximity of
the land; since he ought rather to run the ships ashore, if practicable,
than suffer them to be taken afloat, and thereby transfer additional
strength to the enemy. In short, nothing should be neglected that may
contribute to the preservation of his fleet, or prevent any part of it
from falling into the hands of the conqueror.
By what we have observed, the real force, or superiority, of a fleet
consists less in the number of vessels, and the vivacity of the action,
than in good order, dexterity in working the ships, presence of mind,
and skilful conduct in the captains.
ENSIGN, _pavillon de pouppe_, (_enseigne_, Fr.) a large standard, or
banner, hoisted on a long pole erected over the poop, and called the
ensign-staff.
The ensign is used to distinguish the ships of different nations from
each other, as also to characterise the different squadrons of the navy.
The British ensign in ships of war is known by a double cross, viz. that
of St. George and St. Andrew, formed into an union, upon a field which
is either red, white, or blue.
ENTERING ROPES, _tire-veilles_, two ropes hanging from the upper-part of
a ship’s-side, on the right and left of the accommodation-ladder, or
steps of the gangway. See GANGWAY.
ENTRANCE, a name frequently given to the foremost part of a ship under
the surface of the sea.
_To_ EQUIP, a term borrowed from the French marine, and frequently
applied to the business of fitting a ship for sea, or arming her for
war. See the article FITTING.
ESCUTCHEON, (_ecusson_, Fr.) a name sometimes given to the compartment
for the name, or arms, of the owner, or of the person whose title the
vessel assumes: it is usually fixed on the middle of the ship’s stern,
and is more peculiar to the French and other foreigners, than to English
built vessels. See fig. 3, plate 10.
EXERCISE is the preparatory practice of managing the artillery and
small-arms, in order to make the ship’s crew perfectly skilled therein,
so as to direct its execution successfully in the time of battle.
The exercise of the great guns has, till the late war, been very
complicated, and abounding with superfluities, in our navy, as well as
all others. The following method was then successfully introduced by an
officer of distinguished abilities.
EXERCISE _of the great guns_.
1st. Silence.
2d. Cast loose your guns.
3d. Level your guns.
4th. Take out your tompions.
5th. Run out your guns.
6th. Prime.
7th. Point your guns.
8th. Fire.
9th. Spunge your guns.
10th. Load with cartridge.
11th. Shot your guns.
12th. Put in your tompions.
13th. House your guns.
14th. Secure your guns.
“Upon beat to arms[23] (every body having immediately repaired to their
quarters) the midshipman commanding a number of guns, is to see that
they are not without every necessary article, as (at every gun) a
spunge, powder-horn, with its priming wires, and a sufficient quantity
of powder, crow, hand-spike, bed, quoin, train-tackle, &c. sending,
without delay, for a supply of any thing that may be missing; and, for
the greater certainty of not overlooking any deficiency, he is to give
strict orders to each captain under him, to make the like examination at
his respective gun, and to take care that every requisite is in a
serviceable condition, which he is to report accordingly. And (besides
the other advantages of this regulation) for the still more certain and
speedy account being taken upon these occasions, the midshipman is to
give each man his charge at quarters (as expressed in the form of the
monthly report) who is to search for his particular implements, and, not
finding it, is immediately to acquaint his captain, that, upon his
report to the midshipman, it may be replaced.
“The man who takes care of the powder is to place himself on the
opposite side of the deck from that where we engage, except when
fighting both sides at once, when he is to be amidships. He is not to
suffer any other man to take a cartridge from him, but he who is
appointed to serve the gun with that article, either in time of a real
engagement, or at exercise.
“Lanthorns are not to be brought to quarters in the night, until the
midshipman gives his orders for so doing to the person he charges with
that article. Every thing being in its place, and not the least lumber
in the way of the guns, the exercise begins with,
1st, Silence.
“At this word every one is to observe a silent attention to the
officers.
2d. Cast loose your guns.
“The muzzle lashing is to be taken off from the guns, and (being coiled
up in a small compass) is to be made fast to the eye-bolt above the
port. The lashing-tackles at the same time to be cast loose, and the
middle of the breeching seized to the thimble of the pomillion. The
spunge to be taken down, and, with the crow, hand-spike, &c. laid upon
the deck by the gun.
“N. B. When prepared for engaging an enemy, the seizing within the
clinch of the breeching is to be cut, that the gun may come sufficiently
within-board for loading, and that the force of the recoil may be more
spent before it acts upon the breeching.
3d. Level your guns.
“The breech of your metal is to be raised so as to admit the foot of the
bed’s being placed upon the axle-tree of the carriage, with the quoin
upon the bed, both their ends being even one with the other.
“N. B. When levelled for firing, the bed is to be lashed to the bolt
which supports the inner end of it, that it may not be thrown out of its
place by the violence of the gun’s motion, when hot with frequent
discharges. See fig. 17, plate VII.
4th. Take out your tompions.
“The tompion is to be taken out of the gun’s mouth, and left hanging by
its laniard.
5th. Run out your guns.
“With the tackles hooked to the upper-bolts of the carriage, the gun is
to be bowsed out as close as possible, without the assistance of crows
or hand-spikes; taking care at the same time to keep the breeching clear
of the trucks, by hauling it through the rings; it is then to be bent so
as to run clear when the gun is fired. When the gun is out, the
tackle-falls are to be laid along-side the carriages in neat fakes, that
when the gun by recoiling overhauls them, they may not be subject to get
foul, as they would if in a common coil.
6th. Prime.
“If the cartridge is to be pierced with the priming wire, and the vent
filled with powder, the pan also is to be filled; and the flat space
having a score through it at the end of the pan, is to be covered, and
this part of the priming is to be bruised with the round part of the
horn.”
The apron is to be laid over, and the horn hung up out of danger from
the flash of the priming.
7th. Point your guns.