to you may speed to succour you.

14. If the ship should happen to spend a mast, or spring a leak, which
by increasing upon you may grow to present danger, then you shall
shoot off two pieces of ordnance, the one a good while after the
other, and hang out two lights on the main shrouds, the one a man's
height over the other, so as they may be discernible.

15. If the ship should happen to ran on ground upon any danger (which
God forbid!) then you shall shoot off four pieces of ordnance
distinctly, one after the other; if in the night, hang out as many
lights as you can, to the end the fleet may take notice thereof.

16. You shall favour your topmasts and the head of your mainmast by
bearing indifferent sail, especially in foul weather and in a head sea
and when your ship goeth by the wind; lest, by the loss of a mast upon
a needless adventure, the service is deprived of your help when there
is greatest cause to use it.

17. The whole fleet is to be divided into three squadrons: the
admiral's squadron to wear red flags and red pennants on the main
topmast-head; the vice-admiral's squadron to wear blue flags and blue
pennants on the fore topmast-heads; the rear-admiral's squadron to
wear white flags and white pennants on the mizen topmast-heads.[2]

18. The admirals and officers are to speak with me twice a day,
morning and evening, to receive my directions and commands, which the
rest of the ships are duly to perform. If I be ahead I will stay for
them, if to leeward I will bear up to them. If foul weather should
happen, you are not to come too near me or any other ship to hazard