86

83

For this reason Commanders, especially when unaccustomed to
fleet sailing, will feel less anxious, act with more coolness, and
keep off from their neighbors less, in line abreast or in echelon,
than in column; and while the intervals in line abreast must ordi-
narily correspond more or less nearly with those to be observed in
column, so that transition from one order to the other may be made
with a simple simultaneous movement of the helms, yet it may be
considered whether for an imminent occasion, and bearing down for
action is such an one, the normal intervals may not be reduced, not
only with safety but with great advantage.

We must assume throughout a highly drilled fleet. Perfection
is our aim, and we must be granted reasonably perfect ships, reason-
ably drilled and commanded, to achieve it. Hence we are entitled
to expect that the captains, being aware of the general plans of
action which their chief entertains, and having his signals repeat-
ed by one or more repeating ships, properly placed in rear of the
line, the helms will move together when the signal goes down and
the ships in turning will describe parallel paths. This is expect-
ing a good deal; but the machines will do their work, if the men
have had practise enough to gain confidence and to reduce the er-
rors due to the personal equation.

It will not surely be too much to expect that such a fleet can
maintain a line ahead, with intervals of 200 yards, for the short
time of steaming three miles or so. The nerve that is to carry a
modern ship through the exigencies of a modern naval action can