The distance between each was about half a cable.

The action was fought nearly at the distance of a cable's length from the enemy.
This, which rendered its continuance so long, was owing to the ignorance and consequent indecision of the pilots.

In pursuance of the same error which had led the BELLONA and the RUSSELL aground, they, when the lead was at a quarter less five, refused to approach nearer, in dread of shoaling their water on the larboard shore: a fear altogether erroneous, for the water deepened up to the very side of the enemy's line of battle.
At five minutes after ten the action began.

The first half of our fleet was engaged in about half an hour; and by half-past eleven the battle became general.

The plan of the attack had been complete: but seldom has any plan been more disconcerted by untoward accidents.