’Signal.—­Cut the enemy’s line in the order of sailing in two columns.

’Explanatory Note.—­The admiral will make known what number of ships from the van ship of the enemy the weather division is to break through the enemy’s line, and the same from the rear at which the lee division is to break through their line.

’To execute this signal the fleet is to form in the order of sailing in two columns, should it not be so formed already; the leader of each column steering down for the position pointed out where he is to cut through the enemy’s line.

’If the admiral wishes any particular conduct to be pursued by the leader of the division, in which he happens not to be, after the line is broken, he will of course point it out.  If he does not it is to be considered that the lee division after breaking through the line is left to its commander.

’In performing this evolution the second astern of the leader in each column is to pass through the line astern of the ship next ahead [sic] of where her leader broke through, and so on in succession, breaking through all parts of the enemy’s line ahead [sic] of their leaders as described in the plate.’

The plate represents the two columns bearing down to attack in a strictly formed line ahead, and the ships, after the leaders have cut through, altering course each for its proper interval in the enemy’s line, and the whole then engaging from to-leeward.  The note proceeds: 

’By this arrangement no ship will have to pass the whole of the enemy’s line.  If however, in consequence of any circumstance, the rear ships should not be able to cut through in their assigned places, the captains of those ships, as well as of the ships that are deprived of opponents in the enemy’s line by this mode of attack, are to act to the best of their judgment for the destruction of the enemy, unless a disposition to the contrary has been previously made.

’It will be seen that by breaking the line in this order the enemy’s van ships will not be able to assist either their centre or rear without tacking or wearing for that purpose.’

This from cover to cover of the Signal Book is the sole trace to be found of the great principles for which Nelson had lived and died.  That Lord Keith or anyone else could have believed that it adequately represented the teaching of Trafalgar is almost incredible.

To begin with, the wording of the note contains an inexplicable blunder.  The last paragraph shows clearly that the idea of the signal is an attack on the rear and centre, as at Trafalgar; yet the ships of each column as they come successively into action are told to engage the enemy’s ship ahead of the point where their leaders broke through, a movement which would resolve itself into an attack on their centre and van, and leave the rear free to come into immediate action with an overwhelming concentration on the lee division.