Beuatiful Naval Broadside

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013

Broadside, one page, 13” x 16.75”. “Rules of Discipline and good Government to be observed on board His Majesty's Ships of War. Established by His late Majesty King George ... bearing the date the 7th of January, 1730.” Light folds. Rough left and right edges, tears, holes, and soiling mostly in blank margins. Tipped to a matte which covers almost flaws, displaying the complete 9.5” x 15.5” text. Headed across the top in inch-high upper case letters “RULES.” To the left of each of the seven articles, in italics, is a short summary of the rule. In part, “ “ARTICLE I. In the First Place, the Commanders of His Majesty’s Ships are strictly required to shew in themselves a good Example of Honour and Virtue to their Officers and Men; ... II. The Commanders of His Majesty’s Ships are to take Care, that Divine Service be performed twice a Day on Board, according to the Liturgy of the Church of England, and a Sermon preached on Sunday, ...III. If any shall be heard to Swear, Curse, or Blaspheme the Name of God, the Captain is strictly required to punish them for every Offence, by causing them to wear a Wooden Collar, or some other shameful Badge of Distinction, ... IV. No Commander shall inflict any Punishment upon a Seaman, beyond Twelve Lashes upon his bare Back with a Cat of Nine Tails, ...V. The Captain is never, by his own Authority, to dif charge a Commission or Warrant Officer, nor to punish or strike him; but if any are disobedient to Command, or behave themselves so ill, that he judges them unfit for their Duty, he may suspend or confine them; ...VI. The Officer who commands on board by Accident of the Captain’s Absence, ( Absence, (unless he be absent for a Time by Leave) shall not Order any Correction, but Confinements; from which however he is not to release the Offender before the Captain’s Return on Board, and then give an Account of the Reasons for his so doing. ...VII. The Captain is to cause the Articles of War to be hung up in some public Places of the Ship, and read to the Ship’s Company once a Month.”

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