Of manoeuvring in the fifth order of sailing in six or nine columns.
On this important branch of the subject we can only briefly remark, that when fleets are numerous, their order of sailing is usually in six or nine columns, instead of three; that is, the van is divided into two or three columns, and so are the centre and rear. if the fleet be in six columns, the admirals place themselves abreast of each other, somewhat a-head and in the middle of the interval of their respective columns ; or, if the fleet be in nine columns, they place themselves at the head of their respective centre columns. In either case, each squadron must manoeuvre itself in the same manner as if it were in three columns. With a numerous fleet, many advantages result from increasing the number of columns, since the signals can he better seen, and every evolution can be performed in a less time, particularly in that important case of reducing it to the order of battle.
We select two examples by way of illustration. Let it be required to change from the line of battle to the fifth order of sailing on the other tack, the van squadron forming to leeward, the centre to wind ward, and the rear in the centre. This beautiful evolution is represented in Fig. 2, wherein the van makes sail, and tacks in succession; the column brings to, or carries a very easy sail. The leader of the centre column, which is now to form to windward, tacks as soon as the last of his column passes astern of the new lee column, and is followed in succession by his division. The leader of the rear, which is to form the centre column, tacks, either when abreast of the leader of the windward column, or when his centre ship passes astern of the Ice column, or when he has the centre ship of the lee column in a line at right angles with the wind. When the rear has tacked, the Ice column fills, and all the columns make the necessary sail, for regulating the order.
Secondly, let it be required to change from the line of battle to the fifth order of sailing on the other tack, the rear squadron forming to windward, the van squadron as centre column, and the centre squadron to leeward. This evolution is denoted by Fig. 3, in which the van and centre tack in success ion, and pass on under easy sail. The rear, which
is to be to windward, carries sail, and tacks in suc cession, when its leader has the headmost ship of the lee column in a line at right angles with the wind, or when its centre ship passes a-stern of the centre column. The columns then make suitable sail to regulate their distances.
To change and upon changes of wind.
In the preceding inquiries, we have supposed the wind to remain constant, both in its intensity and direction; but we know that the best conceived plan of naval tactics may be rendered abortive by a change of condition in one of these causes. A sud den calm may render every ship motionless, or an alteration in the direction of the wind may require a new system of evolutions to be performed.
We must here limit our inquiries to the single but most disadvantageous change of wind that can happen to a fleet line of battle, and that is when it comes forward, the order being in such a case with difficulty reformed, particularly if the enemy be in sight. If the wind comes forward from one to six points, and it is intended to keep the fleet on the same tack, each ship having fallen off, the whole line brings to, excepting the headmost ship, which immediately bears away a certain number of points. This number of points is known by deduct ing from eight points one half of the points which the wind has changed; thus, if the wind has come forward five points, deduct half that number from eight, and the remainder five and a half points will remain, as the number the ships are to run large. The headmost ship then, having fallen off, and bore away, the ship which follows her fills and bears away as soon as she brings her leader to bear on the close hauled line. Each ship proceeds success ively in the same manner, and in the end they alto gether haul their wind in the wake of their leader, when they get upon the close hauled line with the sternmost ship, which then fills and stands on close hauled, not being under the necessity of bear ing away. This is illustrated in Fig. 4. Steel gives some other methods of accomplishing the same object, some of which are advantageous, and others not, and to which we must refer our readers.