Preparing for Battle

Admiral Sir John Jervis gave his orders for the fleet to prepare for the coming action during the night of the 13th February.

Initially this would have given time for Captains to ensure that their men were fed and rested in time for the exertions of the following day. As the night wore on, more preparations would have taken place, culminating in the orders to prepare for battle and clear for action.

A well trained ship could clear for action in 10 minutes or less. This would include the stowage of all non-essential items, the clearing away of the bulkheads dividing the Captain's and Admiral's quarters, the preparations for fire and damage etc. Preparing for battle was a significant order and set in motion a well organised train of events.....

"Prepare for Battle" Signal No: 13 - flown from flagship by CinC
"Clear for Action" Ordered by Captain on the quarter deck
  • Cabin bulkheads cleared

  • Surgeons prepare cockpit for wounded with barrels to receive amputated limbs

  • Gunners and mates check and prepare equipment. Shoes exchanged for leather slippers to avoid sparks

  • Barrels of water and swabs placed all over ship to douse fires and refresh men during battle

  • Ships carpenter and his mates stack various sized wooden plugs to stop up shot holes
Ship now prepared for battle. First Lieutenant awaits orders
"Hands to Quarters" Captain to First Lieutenant
"Beat to Quarters" First Lieutenant to drummer
  • ...Drum beat...drum beat...

  • Decks soaked with water.

  • Sand scattered for grip.

  • Flintlocks for cannon issued to gun crews
To tune of 'Hearts of Oak', men take up positions to await order to commence battle.

HMS Victory - the gundecks
St Vincent 1797 - main battle pages

Page creation: Peter Milford - St Vincent College, February 1997