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further from the enemy's line must it be begun; or else the rear ship of the new column may have the enemy down upon its beam before it has reached its place.

All along their lines of men or ships tend to open out too much; a tendency that can be minimized by careful drill, but can never be wholly overcome. This tendency [tendecy] is sometimes varied by another to crowd together, but the former prevails for obvious reasons. Men will prefer upon the whole to be a little too far from, rather than a little too close to, their next ahead or abreast. This preference will be more marked in column than line as is easy to see; a small movement of the helm will divert you from a ship alongside steering the same course, and you have time to think; but if you are too close to your next ahead, and he suddently stops or slows you are into him at once. (Not so, see below.)

(The reverse of this is the case in all except flank ships in line. example: [handwritten diagram]

B finding himself crowded by C would, gladly open out but for A He finds himself wedged in with no way of escape save by stopping and letting the others pass ahead. But if in column of three, this even is not free from danger, for he finds the next division or squadron astern crowding up on him.

[handwritten with diagram - In open column of divisions this space equals 600 yards. Column of divisions closed in mass would be intolerable. A. T. M]

In column you can easily avoid your leader even if he should stop suddently. S.B.L.)