Nor was this all.

An advance from the north must be made with a northerly wind.

If unsuccessful, or even, in case of success, if ships were badly crippled, they could not return to the north, where the fleet was.

On the other hand, attack from the south presupposed a southerly wind, with which, after an action, the engaged ships could rejoin the fleet, if they threaded safely the difficult navigation.

In any event there was risk, but none knew better than Nelson that without risks war is not made.