Note 10 — THE BATTLE OF THE NILE (OR ABOUKIR BAY) (1798). Source.—Annual Register. Vol. xl., pp. 142 et seq. of History of Europe.

The passing around the bow of the enemy’s van and inside of their line appears to have originated with the leader, Captain Foley, as no signal was made to direct such a manœuvre, and the suggestion, so apropos, was highly worthy of a seaman having ready and clear ideas of what appertained to his profession. The example was followed by four others of those who composed the van, and the advantage which was derived from that manœuvre may be best calculated by a reference to the result. This kind of initiative may well have been learnt from Nelson’s notable manœuvre in the Battle of St. Vincent in 1797.