Manoeuvring Definitions

Ships, Units & Formations

• Large Ship — A ship larger than a destroyer (over 450 feet in length).
• Small Ship — A destroyer (under 450 feet in length) or smaller ship.
• Unit — A single ship/aircraft or a small number of ships/aircraft operating as an entity for manoeuvring purposes.
• Formation — An ordered arrangement of two or more ships or units proceeding together.
• Disposition — An ordered arrangement of two or more formations proceeding together.
• Main Body — The principal ships of a formation, which normally has a screen.
• Screen — A peripheral arrangement of ships whose function is to protect a main body or convoy.