Falmouth's inner roads offered useful sheltered water for ships. Outside that refuge, however, the coast was surrounded by dangerous rocks. Local winds could also rise sharply and make a fleet's position harder to control. An amphibious force needed a viable beach and enough sea room to keep its transports and escorts safe.
Notable Point · 14:00-14:32
Falmouth's safe anchorage ended at the harbour mouth
Sheltered water inside Falmouth contrasted with rocks and rapidly worsening winds offshore, where an invasion fleet needed room to remain mobile.