Chapter 71: Dance of Death
In the bustling HMNB Portsmouth, a kaleidoscope of flags—kingdom crosses, fleet standards, noble banners, and captain's pennants—fluttered in the breeze.
"Weigh anchor!" The command resounded, ricocheting across the decks.
"Set sail for the north, starboard close-hauled!" The fleet commander's orders were transmitted through flags by the sailors aboard the newly named flagship, the 'King Edward'.
The officers' commands echoed in succession, guiding the First Fleet, assembled over days, to depart the anchorage with majestic flair.
Spearheaded by the flagship, the Second-Tier Ship 'King Edward', the fleet adopted a double-column serpentine formation. At sea, warships typically keep a distance of 200 to 400 meters between battleships to facilitate maneuvers, with three ships covering a kilometer. The spectacle of an entire fleet extending towards the horizon was truly awe-inspiring.