Others prefer that the three squadrons of the less numerous fleet each attack a squadron of the more numerous fleet, taking care that each squadron ranges up to the enemy in such a manner as not to leave any of his ships astern, but rather leaving several vessels ahead.
'V.

Finally, there are those who would have the less numerous fleet put so great an interval between the ships as to equalise their line with that of the enemy.

But this last method is, without doubt, the least good, because it permits the enemy to employ the whole of its strength against the less numerous fleet.

I agree, however, that this method might be preferred to others in certain circumstances; as when the enemy's ships are considerably less powerful than those of the less numerous fleet.' Having thus explained the system of doubling, he proceeds to give the latest ideas of his chief on breaking the enemy's line, or, as it was then called, passing through his fleet.

'We find,' he says, 'that in the relations of the fights in the Channel between the English and the Dutch that their fleets passed through one another....