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have their broadsides concentrated upon such point as you wish in
the enemy's order, together with the bow fire of the leading ship
of the fleet. The rear ships in the line ahead will find their
fire on the probable point of concentration, much masked, but will
use it as previously instructed by the admiral on the other flank
of the enemy or what would be better still, reserve it for left
wing of enemy.
If the leader of AB prefer, as he probably would, to attack with
double column, a front of two ships, the ship A would have 200 yds
less distance to steam, (1/2 minute less time) to reach her place in
column. This difference is not worth considering under all the
conditions of the case as affecting the distance at which the evolution
will be begun, and could scarecely be correctly estimated.
The effect of forming double column from the flank would be that
the close distances in line abreast can be maintained, when wheeling
together, while in making the second wheel in succession to
come into double column, the ships forming alternately in rear of
one or other column are at double distance from their immediate
leaders which makes the evolution less hazardous. On the other
hand the intervals in double column will be increased to 400 yds.
Four hundred yards equals 1 minute in time at twelve knots; such a
double column cannot be pierced.