Order of Sailing in Two Columns, dated 31st May 1818. Involving eleven warships, produced and signed by Rear Admiral Sir. B Hallowell. With direct instruction to Lieutenant Samuel Gordon, HMS Dwarf. The letter shows sketched placements of the vessels including Rochfort, Northumberland, Bulkwark and Prometheus.

Hallowell further writes, 'The leading ships of the Division are to bear from the Admiral, in the direction of the wind when sailing by the wind - and when sailing before the wind the leading ship of the starboard or weather division will keep two points on his starboard quarter and the starboard or lee division two points on his starboard quarter - The Columns are to be distant one mile and a half from each other, and the ship's in each column are to be two cables length asunder in moderate breezes, increasing the distance according to the state of this weather .... Good attention must be kept at all times to keep the ship's correctly in their stations, that when the signal is made to tack in succession the leading ships may put their helms down together when the signal is handed down - If the admiral should at any time think proper to lead a particular column he will make known his intention to signal. (Signed and dated).

To Lieutenant Gordon His Majesty's Cutter Dwarf - The Lee will take a Station abreast of the formats about two miles to windward and the Prometheus will keep abreast of the second ship in the weather column and in the wake of the Lee. The Grecian and Dwarf will take such stations to windward as may be most convenient for executing any signals that may be made to them."

Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell Carew was possibly born in Boston, United States, in 1761 and formed one of the select group of officers referred to Lord Nelson as 'The Band of Brothers'. The columns described appear to relate to a two-month exercise in the Channel.