A snow was a small, fast, square-rigged vessel with two masts. Dutch commanders used these vessels to carry messages between groups of ships before they could rely on developed flag-signaling systems. About two snows were attached to each squadron. Comparisons with sloops, barks, and brigs are approximate because navies used different small-vessel categories and preferences. Their presence helps explain how an admiral could communicate beyond his immediate flagship.
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Fast snows carry orders between squadrons
Small, fast snows carried messages between Dutch squadrons, making communications vessels part of the fleet's command system.