KB. By the expression close-hauled is to be understood such a disposition of the sails that the ship may advance as nearly as possible towards the part of the horizon from whence the wind blows. In general, the line of direction of the wind makes then, on the side next to the ship's head, an angle of about 6 points, or 67° 30'.
The fourth order is that in which the ships, steering with the wind on one and the same quarter, are formed in several lines, divisions, or squadrons, and as much concentrated as possible. The ships of the commanders are ahead of the several divisions, and a line joining the mainmasts of all the ships in each is supposed to be in the direction of the wind. This order is very convenient for a convoy, but it presents great difficulties to the formation of the line of battle. In the fifth order, the fleet, if not very numerous, is divided into three squadrons, the ships of which sail in as many parallel lines : if numerous, each squadron may be divided into two or more parts, so that the whole way constitute six or nine parallel lines, the number of ohlps being equal in all. The ships in this order are supposed to be close-hauled, and the keel of each ship coincides with the direction of the line to which it belongs, or the slips of each line sail in each other'e wake ; while the corresponding ships in the different divisions may be either abreast of each other or in bow-and-quarter position. A line drawn through the mainmasts of the corresponding ships in the different divisions may be supposed to coincide with the direction of the wind. This order of sailing is that which was considered the most advantageous on account of the facility which it afforded for forming the line of battle. Generally, the fleet consisting of three divisions, the vanguard of the line constitutes the weather division, and is commanded by the viee-sslmind ; the centre division is commanded by the admiral him self ; and the leeward or rear-division, by the rear-admiral. If the fleet consists of more than three divisions, those which are not com manded by the admirals are under the direction of commodores, or senior-captains, and each commander is in the centre of his own line; frigates, store-ships, &c. are kept to windward of the line of battle ships.
The first and second orders of sailing are easily formed, however irregular may be the previous dispositions of the ships ; for the ship which is appointed to lead in the formation may get to leeward of the whole fleet, and then hauling her wind (disposing her sails so that she may move in a lino making the given inclination to the direction of the wind), sho may sail in the proposed direction : the other ships then, according to their positions, follow successively in her wake, and when all are proceeding in one line, each veers [Vsentso] or beam away, steering in the prescribed course, and still preserving the general line. The third order of sailing is formed after all the ships have got
into one line, steering in each other's wake as above mentioned, and the line making an angle of about 10 points, 112° 30', with the direc tion of the wind (reckoning from the latter direction towards the bows of the ship). The van ships, which are those to leeward of the admiral, who is supposed to be in the centre, successively haul their wind and steer in the proposed direction ; and when the admiral's ship has hauled her. wind, the stcrnmost or windward ships do the same, and each proceeds in as direction parallel to that of the other ships. The fourth and fifth orders of sailing are formed by the leading ships of the different divisions getting abreast of each other, or in bow-and-quarter position, at the prescribed distances; and then the ships of the respective squadrons taking their places in each other's wakes.
In the orders of sailing, the distance of one ship from another, in line, should be such that any danger of running foul of each other may be avoided : in general, that distance may be considered as equal to two or three cables' length (each =120 fathoms). And, with respect to the distances between the several lines in the fifth order of sailing, it has been determined, the ships being close-hauled, by supposing that a line joining the headmost ship of one of the leeward divisions, and the nte.rnmost ship of the next division to windward, should be at right angles to the direction of the wind ; or that the angle which such line makes with each division should be equal to 2 points, or 22° 30'. In general, this interval may be considered as equal to six or nine cables' length ; and it is of importance that the distances prescribed by the admiral of the fleet :should be strictly preserved.