We have seen the point discussed already in the anonymous commentary on the Duke of York's final instructions, and it remained a bone of contention till the end.

Men like Sir Charles H.Knowles were as strongly in favour of immediately following a beaten adversary as the anonymous commentator was in favour of maintaining the line.

Knowles's idea was that it was folly to check the ardour of a ship's company at the moment of victory, and he tells us he tried to persuade Howe to discard the old instruction when he was drawing up his new ones.[5] As to the further tactical progress which the Boscawen instructions disclose, and which nearly all appear closely related to the events of the War of the Austrian Succession, when Anson was supreme, we may particularly note Article I., for equalising the lines and using superfluous ships to form a reserve; Article III.

for closer action; Article VIII.

for the reserve to endeavour to 'Cross the T,' instead of doubling; and Articles IX.