Nelson, who was already up and had breakfasted, signalled at seven for all captains, and by eight these had their instructions.

The wind had become so fair that ships anchoring by the stern would lie perfectly well for using their broadsides at once.

At this instant indecision appeared among the pilots, who were mostly men of only a little local experience, and that gained in vessels much smaller than those they were now to conduct.

Nelson, reverting afterwards to these moments, said: "I experienced in the Sound the misery of having the honour of our Country intrusted to pilots, who have no other thought than to keep the ship clear of danger, and their own silly heads clear of shot.

At eight in the morning of the 2d of April, not one pilot would take charge of a ship." There is in these words scarcely fair allowance for the men's ignorance.