Secondly, by breaking up the enemy's line into fragments it deprived their admiral of any shadow of control over the part attacked.

Thirdly, by seizing the leeward position (the essential postulate of the French method of fighting) it prevented individual captains making good their escape independently to leeward and ensured a decisive _melee_, such as Nelson aimed at.

And, fourthly, it permitted a concentration on any part of the enemy's line, since it actually severed it at any desired point quite as effectually as did Rodney's method.

Whether Howe ever appreciated the importance of concentration to the extent it was felt by Nelson, Hood and Rodney is doubtful.

Yet his invention did provide the best possible form of concentrated attack.