Knowles's standing order was to hold fire until the squadron could strike together at close range. Canterbury and Warwick exchanged fire while only the leading ships were in range, and Warwick's slowing forced Knowles to order Canterbury past her. Cornwall and Lennox, the heavier British ships, did not enter until four o'clock. The premature exchange therefore turned a planned coordinated blow into a staggered engagement and reduced the advantage gained from the weather gauge.
Notable Point · 42:35-43:53
Early fire undermines British cohesion
Knowles wanted the whole British line in effective range before firing, but Canterbury and Warwick opened early and disrupted the intended blow.