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Figure, if the single column AB pass the double column CD, C'D' in opposite directions, the fire of all but the leading ships of the column CD is greatly hampered, if not wholly masked, by the column C'D'. [diagram] Even an indented column, under such conditions, must be inferior in security and range of fire, to the single column which has nothing in its way in the direction of the enemy. What is true of the double column, is yet more true of a triple column under the same conditions, and there would seem incedentally to follow here the remark that the further you depart from the single column in the direction of a line abreast, the greater the disadvantage in passing outside a flank, when coming to close action.

Concentration upon the head of a moving column is doubtless most dangerous to the assailant. The head of a column has always been recognized as the strongest part of it, and if for no other reason, because the rear is pointed fair and coming up to its aid. If the positions of the two fleets permit it, a double column passed on the two flanks of a single column, embracing it under fire from both sides, would be a serious and dangerous concentration. [diagram] In the Figure the leading ships D are under a double fire; and although it is true that in the end nine ships will have passed under the fire of nine, yet the action will begin with the chance of serious disaster, by the crippling of one of the van ships D, which would throw confusion [confesion] into the whole line CD. There is more advantage but I am not, however, here discussing the rela-