This is the famous article in which was first laid down the principle of cutting off a part of the enemy's fleet and 'containing' the rest.
Though always attributed to the Duke of York it seems almost certainly to have been suggested by the tactics of Monck and Rupert on the last day of the Four Days' Battle, June 4, 1666.

According to the official account, they sighted the Dutch early in the morning about five leagues on their weather-bow, with the wind at SSW.

'At eight o'clock,' it continues, 'we came up with them, and they having the weather-gage put themselves in a line to windward of us.

Our ships then which were ahead of Sir Christopher Myngs [who was to lead the fleet] made an easy sail, and when they came within a convenient distance lay by; and the Dutch fleet having put themselves in order we did the like.

Sir Christopher Myngs, vice-admiral of the prince's fleet, with his division led the van.