The most powerful ships were not necessarily those able to enter or work close to the decisive ground. Seymour's squadron had to deal with separate old and new harbours, shallow access, and ships arriving in stages. Smaller gunboats could sometimes get nearer, but the overall force did not create an immediate, unified impression of control. HMS Superb's cautious sounding into shallower water captures the mismatch between nominal firepower and the ability to put it at the decisive point.
Notable Point · 55:24-1:01:29
Why Seymour's fleet lacked immediate leverage
At Alexandria, a force that arrived gradually and could not easily use the harbour's geography did not project the same credibility as Hornby's concentrated fleet.