Thanks to the good order preserved by the ships-of-the-line, these incendiary ships can indeed be better protected by the artillery; much more efficiently directed than before toward a distinct and determined end."[22] In the midst of the confused _melees_ of 1652 the fire-ship "acted, so to speak, alone, seeking by chance an enemy to grapple, running the risk of a mistake, without protection against the guns of the enemy, nearly sure to be sunk by him or else burned uselessly.

All now, in 1665, has become different.

Its prey is clearly pointed out; it knows it, follows it easily into the relatively fixed position had by it in the enemy's line.

On the other hand, the ships of his own division do not lose sight of the fire-ship.

They accompany it as far as possible, cover it with their artillery to the end of its course, and disengage it before burning, if the fruitlessness of the attempt is seen soon enough.