Note 8 — Chapter XV · TRAFALGAR

I am not unaware that Duncan’s ships bore down on the Dutch at Camperdown from windward, and that although they suffered a greater loss of life in proportion than the ships of Trafalgar, they were not sunk, or ruined beyond repair. But at Camperdown our ships were running before a strong breeze, on a rough sea, and were on an average heavier ships than their opponents. Therefore they crossed the belt of danger during their approach more rapidly, were better able to stand hammering, and were fired at from a more unsteady platform than was afforded by the almost becalmed ships of the Franco-Spaniards. Moreover, the Dutch deliberately reserved their fire.