At length one of the Masters of the fleet, a Mr.Brierley, undertook to lead the column, and the signal to weigh in succession was made.

The leading ship got off handsomely, but difficulties soon arose.

Nelson's old "Agamemnon" was so anchored that she could not weather the Middle Ground; she consequently did not get into action at all.

Two other ships, the "Bellona" and "Russell," seventy-fours, grounded on the east side of the Middle Ground, where they remained fast.

Although they could use their guns, and did use them against those southern ships which Nelson particularly wanted crushed, the disadvantages of distance, of position, and of general helplessness, detracted exceedingly from their usefulness.