herakles
03-02-2008, 16:59
I was reading up on Trafalgar and was forced once again to reflect on the tactic of crossing the T.
For anyone reading this that doesn't know the term, it means this (old salts should skip this!!):
A fleet usually sailed in a long line, each following the other, with the flag ship in front. This is called "line astern". Also called a fighting column. As such, they are in a very good position to bombard an enemy on either side but restricted when firing at an enemy in front of them. Or behind them.
In the days of sail, most guns couldn't be swivelled. So the usual tactic was for two ships to sail past each other firing as they went. This is called broadside firing. The winner was either the ship with the bigger guns but more likely it would be the ship that could re-load the quickest.
Crossing the T is when a line of ships crosses in front of a line of enemy ships so whilst they can fire all guns, the other side cannot use any guns except those few mounted in the bow (front). Clearly the other side is at a considerable disadvantage.
There have been some notable victories when this tactic has been used: Battle of Lissa (1866), Battle of Tsushima (1905), Battle of Elli (1912) and Battle of Jutland (1916). In this last example, the British Grand Fleet crossed the T twice. Later battles include: Battle of Cape Esperance (1942) and Battle of Surigao Strait (1944), the last time I believe that the tactic has been used. It also happened at the battle of Trafalgar. The RN approached the combined French and Spanish fleets in two lines, one commanded by Nelson, the other by Collingwood. They were the vertical line of the letter T. In other words, at a considerable disadvantage.
They could not fire effectively whereas the enemy could. And the wind was very light so progress was slow. It was what happened after they closed that gave us victory that day. I won't explain this. Instead have a look here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/launch_ani_trafalgar.shtml
It's a clever animation of the battle.
Today Crossing the T is redundant as modern ships rarely if ever fire their guns at each other. They have better means such as aircraft, rockets etc.
Nelson took a huge risk at Trafalgar but he banked on his ships' crews being far more highly trained and disciplined than those of his enemy. How right he was.
For anyone reading this that doesn't know the term, it means this (old salts should skip this!!):
A fleet usually sailed in a long line, each following the other, with the flag ship in front. This is called "line astern". Also called a fighting column. As such, they are in a very good position to bombard an enemy on either side but restricted when firing at an enemy in front of them. Or behind them.
In the days of sail, most guns couldn't be swivelled. So the usual tactic was for two ships to sail past each other firing as they went. This is called broadside firing. The winner was either the ship with the bigger guns but more likely it would be the ship that could re-load the quickest.
Crossing the T is when a line of ships crosses in front of a line of enemy ships so whilst they can fire all guns, the other side cannot use any guns except those few mounted in the bow (front). Clearly the other side is at a considerable disadvantage.
There have been some notable victories when this tactic has been used: Battle of Lissa (1866), Battle of Tsushima (1905), Battle of Elli (1912) and Battle of Jutland (1916). In this last example, the British Grand Fleet crossed the T twice. Later battles include: Battle of Cape Esperance (1942) and Battle of Surigao Strait (1944), the last time I believe that the tactic has been used. It also happened at the battle of Trafalgar. The RN approached the combined French and Spanish fleets in two lines, one commanded by Nelson, the other by Collingwood. They were the vertical line of the letter T. In other words, at a considerable disadvantage.
They could not fire effectively whereas the enemy could. And the wind was very light so progress was slow. It was what happened after they closed that gave us victory that day. I won't explain this. Instead have a look here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/launch_ani_trafalgar.shtml
It's a clever animation of the battle.
Today Crossing the T is redundant as modern ships rarely if ever fire their guns at each other. They have better means such as aircraft, rockets etc.
Nelson took a huge risk at Trafalgar but he banked on his ships' crews being far more highly trained and disciplined than those of his enemy. How right he was.