After the Carthaginian center withdrew, Manlius took captured ships in tow while Regulus sent undamaged vessels to help the endangered Roman units. The threatened squadrons had held long enough for assistance to arrive. A Roman force backed against the shore could resist because Carthaginian rammers had to approach the corvi, risking boarding. The consuls then redirected their available ships toward colleagues still under pressure instead of continuing the pursuit. In this reading of the battle, interior lines let the Romans reinforce the separate fights before the Carthaginian wings could achieve decisive local victories.
Notable Point · 1:47:13-1:59:16
Roman relief forces turn local danger into victory
The Roman consuls used ships freed by victory in the center to relieve endangered squadrons and undo the Carthaginian attacks.