Page "Battle of the Nile" Paragraph 20

Nelson ordered the fleet to slow down at 16: 00 to allow his ships to rig " springs " on their anchor cables, a system of attaching the bow anchor that increased stability and allowed his ships to swing their broadsides to face an enemy while stationary.

It also increased maneuverability and therefore reduced the risk of coming under raking fire.

Nelson's plan, shaped through discussion with his senior captains during the return voyage to Alexandria, was to advance on the French and pass down the seaward side of the van and centre of the French line, so that each French ship would face two British ships and the massive Orient would be fighting against three.

The direction of the wind meant that the French rear division would be unable to easily join the battle and would be cut off from the front portions of the line.

To ensure that in the smoke and confusion of a night battle his ships would not accidentally open fire on one another, Nelson ordered that each ship prepare four horizontal lights at the head of their mizenmast and also to hoist an illuminated White Ensign, which was different enough from the French tricolour that it would not be mistaken in poor visibility, reducing the risk that British ships might fire on one another in the darkness.

As his ship was readied for battle, Nelson held a final dinner with Vanguard < nowiki >'</ nowiki > s officers, announcing as he rose: " Before this time tomorrow I shall have gained a peerage or Westminster Abbey ," in reference to the rewards of victory or the traditional burial place of British military heroes.