The radical defects of the line he points out are: that it is easily thrown into disorder and easily broken, that it is inflexible, and too extended a formation to be readily controlled by signals.

He then proceeds to lay down the principle on which a sound battle order should be framed, and the fundamental objects at which it should aim[6].

His postulates are thus stated: '1.

De rendre nulle une partie des forces de l'ennemi afin de reunir toutes les siennes contre celles qui l'on attaque, ou qui attaquent; et de vaincre ensuite le reste avec plus de facilite et de certitude.
'2.

De ne presenter a l'ennemi aucune partie de son armee qui ne soit flanquee et ou il ne put combattre et vaincre s'il vouloit se porter sur les parties de cette armee reconnues faibles jusqu'a present.' Never had the fundamental intention of naval tactics been stated with so much penetration, simplicity, and completeness.