How the British concentrated force in the centre

British ships entered the action in succession and concentrated against the allied centre. Bucentaure and Santísima Trinidad became isolated and faced several opponents. The allied van failed to return effectively, while British reinforcements continued arriving at the slow pace allowed by the wind. By the time ships from the allied rear joined the centre, much of that centre had already been broken. The British therefore converted an overall numerical disadvantage into local superiority, although their leading ships paid heavily during the approach.