Page "Battle of the Nile" Paragraph 16

In deploying his ships in this way, Brueys hoped that the British would be forced by the shoals to attack his strong centre and rear, allowing his van to use the prevailing northeasterly wind to counterattack the British once they were engaged.

However, he had made a serious misjudgement: there was enough room between Guerrier and the shoal for an enemy ship to cut across the head of the French line, allowing the unsupported vanguard to be caught in a crossfire by two divisions of enemy ships.

Brueys ' dispositions had a second significant flaw: the 160 yard gaps between ships were large enough for a British ship to push through and break the French line.

Furthermore, not all of his captains had followed his orders to attach cables to their neighbour's bow and stern, which would have prevented such a manoeuvre.

The problem was exacerbated by the orders to only anchor at the bow, which allowed the ships to swing with the wind and widened the gaps.

It also created areas within the French line that were not covered by the broadside of any ship.

British vessels could anchor in those spaces and engage the French without reply.

In addition, the deployment of his fleet prevented the rear from effectively supporting the van due to the prevailing winds.