Howe's plan required each British ship to steer for its opposite number, fire while approaching, cut through the French line, and rake the enemy before fighting from leeward. Discretion in the signal allowed hesitant captains to disrupt the formation, especially when Caesar held back and checked ships behind her. Howe nevertheless drove Queen Charlotte past concentrated fire and through the line near the French flagship Montagne at extremely close range. Damage to masts and rigging made his flagship nearly unmanageable, illustrating how a clear tactical concept still depended on individual captains, seamanship, and the survival of a sailing ship's propulsion system.
Chapter · 3:37:48-3:42:59
How Howe tried to break the French line
The Glorious First of June reading follows Howe's line-breaking order, failures in the British van, and Queen Charlotte's close passage through the French formation.