The close fight around Queen Charlotte became obscured by heavy smoke. British ships outside the melee fired toward the general area, and some shots struck friendly vessels. Gibraltar's distant fire hit Queen Charlotte after Gibraltar had failed to close the enemy. Smoke and long range made fire intended to support the attack a danger to the British ships already engaged.
Notable Point · 2:39:25-2:40:28
Smoke turned long-range support into friendly fire
British ships firing into the smoke around Queen Charlotte sometimes struck their own flagship instead of the French ships surrounding her.