There is some uncertainty as to the numbers; the French had fifty-two ships-of-the-line, their enemy probably half a dozen more.
The allies kept away together, each ship for its opposite; there was apparently no attempt on Rooke's part at any tactical combination.

The battle of Malaga possesses indeed no military interest, except that it is the first in which we find fully developed that wholly unscientific method of attack by the English which Clerk criticised, and which prevailed throughout the century.

It is instructive to notice that the result in it was the same as in all others fought on the same principle.

The van opened out from the centre, leaving quite an interval; and the attempt made to penetrate this gap and isolate the van was the only tactical move of the French.

We find in them at Malaga no trace of the cautious, skilful tactics which Clerk rightly thought to recognize at a later day.