Yet, although we see throughout the marks of the true ‘Nelson touch,’ Cochrane’s memorandum bears signs of having been largely founded on an independent study of tactical theory.  His obligations to Clerk of Eldin are obvious.  There are passages in the document which seem as though they must have been written with the Essay on Naval Tactics at his elbow, while his expression ’an attack by forcing the fleet from to-leeward’ is directly borrowed from Morogues’ ’Forcer l’ennemi au combat elant sous le vent.’  On the other hand certain movements are entirely his own, such as his excellent device of inverting the line after passing through the enemy’s fleet, a great improvement on Collingwood’s method of leading down it in normal order.

The point is of some interest, for although Cochrane’s memorandum is over-elaborate and smells of the lamp, yet it seems clear that his theoretical knowledge made him understand Nelson’s principles far better than most of the men who had actually fought at Trafalgar and had had the advantage of Nelson’s own explanations.  All indeed that Cochrane’s memorandum seems to lack is that rare simplicity and abstraction which only the highest genius can achieve.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] The signature does not occur to the draught but was affixed to the originals issued to the admirals and captains of the fleet.  To the copy signed by Lord Nelson, and delivered to Captain George Hope, of the Defence, was added:  ’N.B.—­When the Defence quits the fleet for England you are to return this secret memorandum to the Victory’ Captain Hope wrote on that paper:  ’It was agreeable to these instructions that Lord Nelson attacked the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape Trafalgar on the 21st of October, 1805, they having thirty-three of the line and we twenty-seven,’—­Nicolas.

The injunction to return the memorandum may well have been added to all copies issued, and this may account for their general disappearance.

[2] For this document the Society is indebted to Commander G.P.W.  Hope, R.N., who has kindly placed it at my disposal.

[3] For this document the Society is again indebted to Commander Hope, R.N.

ADMIRAL GAMBIER, 1807.

[+MS. of Commander Hope, R.N.  Copy+.]

Order of Battle and Sailing.[1]

The respective flag officers will have the immediate direction of the division in which their ships are placed, subject to the general direction of the admiral commanding the squadron to which they belong.

The ships in order of battle and sailing are to keep at the distance of two cables’ length from and in the wake of each other, increasing that distance according to the state of the weather.[2]

The leading ship of the starboard division is to keep the admiral two points on her weather bow.  The leading ship of the lee division is when sailing on a wind to keep the leader of the weather column two points before her beam; when sailing large, abreast of her.