Sealed Orders

Sealed Orders, in the Navy, are orders which are delivered to the commanding officer of a ship or squadron sealed up and only to be opened after the ship or squadron has put to sea, and proceeded to a certain point previously designated. When it is considered necessary to despatch a ship or squadron on any secret service, in order to prevent the destination and the object of the expedition becoming known the commanding officer is sent to sea under sealed orders. These orders may be sent direct from the Admiralty, or may be given by any senior officer. The officer who has to act under them is generally directed to proceed a certain distance out to sea, or to a certain latitude and longitude, before he breaks the seal and acquaints himself with the orders in question; he himself equally with others under his command thus putting to sea in ignorance of his destination or the nature of the service to be performed.