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114
as that:

1st. Each Ram should be able to use its powers to to the best
advantage, by giving it open way to the enemy, while leaving the
rest of the fleet free to use the guns unimpeded. At the same
time (la) we have been ware of placing them so as to give a need-
lessly good target to the enemy. The conditions of the ram power
however necessitate an approach to the form of a column rather
than a line.

2nd. The mutual support of all the vessels in the fleet has
been kept in view, and of the whole formation only one ship
(two viz: the rear rams) has no other support than itself.

We have now to consider whether the arrangement proposed will
interfere with the

3rd. condition viz: the concentration of the fleet, both ships
of the line and rams, for the purpose of making or meeting an at-
tack.
It has been assumed before that such a concentration must take
the nature of a column of some kind; as is evident enough besides,
for the fleet is already deployed and with reasonably small inter-
vals.

For any movement forward into column the rams, being already
wholly away from the front already, offer no impediment. If a
movement be made by the right or left flank the rams can take up
the new direction also, and five of the six and form on either
flank without the smallest difficulty. Thus if the movement were