A SECRETARIAL COPYBOOK OF SQUADRON ORDERS ISSUED BETWEEN 1711-1717

received from the commanding officers for 10 ships comprising the Ranelagh; Blenheim; Superb; Captain; Norfolk; Cumberland; Jersey; York; Montagu and Sarah Tender under the command of Sir John Jennings, John Smith, Sir John Norris; Sir Thomas Hardy and Sir George Byng, commencing with an order of 6,300 pounds of rice for the use of the Ship's Company, dated on board the Ranelagh in the Roads of Barcelona, 13 January 1711, and finishing with the firing of 21 guns to celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Wales, 10 November 1717, in between are the adventures of the ten vessels during the War of the Spanish Succession including calls for assistance from Leghorn, 27 January 1711 [1712]; sailing to Gibraltar (captured in 1704), 28 January 1711 [1712]; sailing on the Superb, 4 February 1711 [1712]; at Port Mahon (an English conquest for some years), 7 March 1711 [1712]; tobacco to be stored in all the ships of war, 16 April 1712; 3 shillings duty on coffee seized from enemy ships, 15 April 1712; at Monaco, 10 July 1712; Port Mahon (again), 22 November 1712; Sir Thomas Hardy visiting the Queen of Denmark, 31 May 1715; 40 ff. the ink somewhat faded throughout, early 20th century half calf, gilt garter arms on upper cover, a few slight signs of wear, folio -- 12 x 8in. (30 x 20cm.); together with a transcribed copy with index

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Kept in the last few years of the War of Spanish Succession (1701-15) this interesting series of orders gives us a glimpse of how the navy was run and what its priorities were. Of the Admirals mentioned, Norris is probably the most senior and he was Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean by 1710.