Summary

1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 10… (1911)

From the idea of “float” comes the application of the word to ships, when in company, and particularly to a large number of warships under the supreme command of a single officer, with the individual ships, or groups of ships, under individual and subordinate command. The distinction between a fleet and a squadron is often one of name only.
Source: Wikisource

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