FLEET, NAVAL. "Fleet" usually implies a collection of ships in company, particularly one consisting of a large number of warships: or it is "The collective naval force of a country" (Webster). It is also used in connection with a collection of fishing vessels and in sea fishing it is used to mean a row of drift nets secured together. The term is derived from the root of the verb "to fleet," O.Eng. fleotan—to float, to flow. In the British Navy the bigger sea commands are usually referred to as fleets, e.g., Mediterranean Fleet, and the smaller commands as squadrons, e.g., First Cruiser Squadron. (See also ADMIRAL.) A fleet, in its naval sense, is generally composed of a number of squadrons of different types of ships, such as the battle squadron, battle cruiser squadron, cruiser squadron, as well as groups of lighter vessels which are more often referred to as flotillas, e.g., a destroyer or submarine flotilla. The larger formations may be sub-divided for manoeuvring and administrative purposes into divisions; for instance the battleships of the British Grand Fleet in one of its organisations were grouped in seven divisions. Nor mally each division of battleships or a squadron of cruisers is commanded by a flag officer. Destroyer flotillas are commanded by captains and half flotillas by commanders. (See also DE STROYER.) The commander-in-chief generally flies his flag in a fleet flag-ship, usually a battleship, which is independent of the various organisations but which takes her allotted place in the battle line.
A Fleet at Sea.—In order to understand the elementary prin ciples of handling a fleet at sea, it is necessary to define certain simple formations.
Line ahead (American term, Column). (Fig. i) Ships in single line, one astern of the other.
Quarter line (the American term is line of bearing followed by the inclination to the squadron course in degrees, thus, "line of bearing, 50°) . Ships in single line, disposed on a bearing of 45° from a line astern of the leading ship. Ships may also be disposed on any other line of bearing from the flagship or appointed leader.
With a great number of ships in company it is inconvenient to keep station in a very long single line, therefore divisional formations are resorted to.
Divisions in line ahead—disposed abeam (American term, Line of division columns). (Fig. 2.) In this formation the ships of each division are in line ahead while the divisions are disposed abreast of each other ; the distance between the lines, for manoeuvring purposes, is one equal to the length of Bach division. From the diagram it will be seen that this enables the whole fleet to be formed into single line by the simple method of each division wheeling astern of its leader. This process is known as deploying and is one of the methods of getting into battle formation from cruising formation. (See also JUTLAND, BATTLE OF.) A Fleet in Battle.—A considerable amount of freedom of movement in battle is allowed to the commanders of individual squadrons, especially in the case of cruisers and destroyers. A certain amount of independence is also permissible to the flag officers commanding the divisions of a battle fleet, but in the handling of a fleet certain essentials must always govern any efforts at individual initiative. Principal among these are : (a) Collisions must be avoided, (b) Ships of lesser importance should not interfere with the gun-fire or other means of offense of ships of greater importance as regards their ability to inflict damage on the enemy. (c) The fleet must not become so divided that the enemy can defeat it piecemeal. This particularly applies in the case of the battle fleet. Where a force has greatly superior speed to the heavier ships of the enemy fleet, such as a squadron of battle cruisers or a fast battle squadron, like the 5th Battle Squadron at Jutland (q.v.), a considerable measure of individual tactics may be employed with advantage, but at all times it is of great importance that every group and unit composing a fleet should understand and conform to the principles governing the general tactical plan of the commander-in-chief.
The development of aircraft and the advent of the aircraft carrier as a fleet unit are likely to have a very considerable effect on the future conduct of fleets in action. Where air observation is available on both sides, the element of surprise between rival fleets to a large extent disap pears, as the respective com manders will be informed of their adversary's movements while they are still a long way out of sight of each other. This same influence will make itself felt in the manner of engaging. On the one hand it may bring about an action, on the other it may enable a weaker force to escape. The effect may well be to enhance the strategical importance of dark ness.