Two hundred years ago a signal book was issued to a Captain Cornthwaith Ornmary of H.M.S. Tartar. The date was 13 June 1776 and the signal book contained the earliest reference which the author has been able to find to a positive rule of the road at sea. The signal book was the work of Admiral Lord Richard Howe, who in 1776 was commanding a fleet off the coast of north-east America in support of his brother G eneral William Howe. Brother William was enjoying considerable success in 1776 but his contribution to history did not survive his encounters with George Washington in 1777 and 1778. Brother Richard meanwhile, perhaps fortunate in not meeting the counterpart of George Washington at sea, went on to add further illustrious chapters to an already distinguished career. His modest rule of the road has not only survived almost unaltered to the present day but it has also formed the basis for our entire system of rules for preventing collisions between ships.