[Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 by Julian S. Corbett]@TWC D-Link bookFighting Instructions, 1530-1816 PART III 24/33
That if any of our fleet happened to be [to] leeward of the enemy, every of our ships should labour and endeavour what they might to take all opportunity to get to windward of them, and to hold that advantage having once obtained it. 14.
That the captains and officers of every ship should have an especial care as much as in them lay to keep the enemies in continual fight without any respite or intermission to be offered them; which, with the advantage of the wind if it might be had, was thought the likeliest way to enforce them to bear up and entangle themselves, or fall foul one of another in disorder and confusion. 15.
That an especial care should be had in every ship that the gunners should load some of their pieces with case shot, handspikes, nails, bars of iron, or with what else might do most mischief to the enemy's men, upon every fit opportunity, and to come near and lay the ordnance well to pass for that purpose, which would be apt to do great spoil to the enemy. 16.
That the cabins in every ship should be broken down so far as was requisite to clear the way of the ordnance. 17.
That all beds and sacks in every ship should be disposed and used as bulwarks for defence against the shot of the enemy. 18.
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