Nelson held two large dinners with his captains and many smaller meetings with just a few officers. They discussed the order of sailing, the first sighting of the enemy, and the approach to battle. Planning therefore began well before the fleets met. Nelson entrusted the other column to Collingwood because both recognised the need to lead from the front. Had Calder and Louis been present with their ships, additional flag officers could have helped command a third column.
Chapter · 2:51:58-2:54:24
Nelson's captains planned the attack together
Learn how pre-battle dinners and shared planning gave two British columns a coherent purpose before the enemy appeared.