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From: hdg@hplb.hpl.hp.com (Hugh Duggan)
Subject: Re: Naval Algorithms
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Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 07:06:52 GMT
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Henrik Steen (hasteen@inet.uni-c.dk) wrote:

: ...

: Fronts (and frontlines were also used a sea) work because they make it 
: more difficult to bring a superior force to bear on a small part of the 
: opposing army. In the famous battle of Trafalgar, Nelson won by 
: surprising the Spanish Armada with departing from this strategy. By using 
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

: favorable wind conditions he was able to penetrate the enemy line with 
: two lines of ships before they could bring their broadsides to bear.

: Henrik
:     ____
:    /::::\
:   | \__/ |  Have a nice day!


Sorry, but the fleet known as the Spanish Armada was attacked and defeated by 
an English fleet over 200 years before the battle of Trafalgar, and by 
completely different tactics.  You are thinking of the combined French and
Spanish fleet under admiral Pierre Villeneuve which faced Nelson.  One of the
reasons that Nelson was able to execute his battle-winning manoeuvre was that
the Villeneuve's fleet had little chance to practice seamanship, let alone
combined tactics, on account of having been blockaded fo long periods.  When
Napoleon finally insisted that they put to sea, this fleet disintegrated.


    Hugh


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