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An attacking fleet at the moment of launching its vessels forward may wish to use an echelon formation; throwing for instance its three right vessels against the enemy's left, followed closely by the next three, and then the last three. This formation would be somewhat more difficult than the formation of the same colum by a flank movement of the left divisions, but it is more rapid, and it might keep the enemy longer in suspense. [diagram] He may move to meet it by throwing his five or six (six best because B' will pass our ship outside of flank or D) right ships on the C'M or even to C"M. This would undoubtedly be a wheel but the second position at least would be more quickly and safely reached by moving M forward and the others in its wake, while the other is but a half wheel. The best plan would be to refuse the threatened flank.

It is scarcely conceivable that an enemy in order of columns can be awaiting an attack; his purpose must be, sacrificing as he does by such an order his artillery fire, to attack you by concentrating upon some part of your line. You may, however, while holding on to your line abreast as long as safe, purpose yourself to concentrate upon him. This may be done on the head of the columns on either flank, or on the rear. The figures are intended to illustrate certain plans. It would perhaps be an advantage if you could pass all your ships on one flank of a double column; In the