Breaking a fleet anchored under a fort

The coalition chained its main ships together near the fort and held many smaller war boats up the channel to strike the Portuguese rear. The fixed line resembles Sluys and the Nile, where an attacker could work through a defensive formation that surrendered too much freedom of movement. Almeida's captains divided their fleet into boarding groups, flank attackers, and a standing bombardment force. They insisted that the viceroy keep his flagship outside the boarding fight so he could direct the action and survive. A brigantine carried orders around the formation, giving the Portuguese a dedicated communications link throughout the battle.