De Winter put to sea under political orders he considered unsound, while Duncan sailed immediately when Henry Trollope reported the Dutch fleet leaving the Texel. Seeing that shallow coastal water would soon favor the Dutch, Duncan trusted his captains to attack from an irregular order of sailing rather than wait for a perfect battle line. His signal directed the two British divisions to pierce the Dutch line and engage on its leeward side, cutting the enemy off from safety. The maneuver departed from the fighting instructions but drew on Howe's line-breaking example from the Glorious First of June. The tactical risk rested on years of training and personal confidence within the fleet.
Chapter · 1:11:39-1:15:53
Duncan's calculated break with doctrine at Camperdown
With the Dutch nearing shallow water, Duncan attacked before forming a conventional line and ordered two divisions through the enemy toward the shore.