Merchant convoys were not inherently incapable of station keeping. East Indiamen did not routinely drill formations in the manner of a battlefleet. Repeated long-distance voyages nevertheless gave captains and sailors deep knowledge of their ships, routes, and seas. When a crisis required formation work, that experience could be converted into the coordinated action later demonstrated at Pulo Aura.
Notable Point · 1:00:03-1:00:45
Merchant crews could execute naval-style maneuvers
A lack of routine formation practice did not mean East Indiaman captains and crews lacked the seamanship needed for disciplined convoy action.