No such provision existed in the previous instructions.

Another noteworthy change under the new article is that, whether by intention or not, any commander of a ship is given the initiative in weathering a part of the enemy's fleet if he sees an opportunity.

If this was seriously intended it seems to point to a reaction to the school of Monck and Rupert, perhaps under Spragge's influence.

Dartmouth's next new article, No.

5, for reforming line of battle as convenient, regardless of the prescribed order of battle, points in the same direction.
The only other change of importance is the note inserted in the sixth article, in which Dartmouth lays his finger on one of the weak points in James's method of attack from windward by bearing down all together, and suggests a means by which the danger of being raked as the ships come down may be minimised.
FOOTNOTE: [1] _Dartmouth MSS.