General Quarters
When the bulge or drum sounded for General or it Beat to Quarters every officer and man scrambled to his action station as directed by the quarterbill. The majority of deamen and some marines manned the guns, with officers of quarters in charge of groups; other seamen went to the powder magazines or to steer the ship. With the tradition that sea battles were fought close range marines went aloft to the tops, the surgeons prepared the cockpit and and the carpenter got ready for quick repairs. Suported by the first lieutenant or officer of the watch and the master the captain fought his ship from the quarterdeck.
A drum on the upper deck of HMS Victory (x)
Thanks to the quarterbill set up by the first lieutenant, everyone knew where their position was and this ensured a smooth course of action during a battle.
