It has been entered subsequently to the rest, having been issued by Lord Hood for the detached squadron he commanded in March 1783.

There is no reference to a corresponding instruction, but it is 'for ships to steer for (independent of each other) and engage respectively the ships opposed to them.' In Lord Howe's second signal book, issued in 1790,[6] the signal reappears in MS.

as 'each ship of the fleet to steer for, independently of each other, and engage respectively the ship opposed in situation to them in the enemy's line.' And in this case there is a reference to an 'Additional Instruction, No.

8,' indicating that Hood, who had meanwhile become first sea lord, had incorporated his idea into the regular 'Additional Fighting Instructions.' Take, again, the case of the manoeuvre of 'breaking the line' in line ahead.

This was first practised after its long abandonment by a sudden inspiration in Rodney's action of April 12, 1782.