How should a Second World War-era sloop arriving before Trafalgar persuade Nelson to use it, and what role should it take?
Short answerOffer to lead a line or stand off independently and use the sloop's longer-ranged 4-inch high-explosive guns against the Franco-Spanish fleet.
NotesA Second World War sloop arriving before Trafalgar could explain its capabilities to Nelson and request the honor of leading one of his lines. Another option would be to operate independently outside the Franco-Spanish fleet's effective gun range. Its modern 4-inch guns and high-explosive ammunition give it an overwhelming advantage in this time-travel scenario. The estimate assumes that a single shell could inflict enough damage to destroy a wooden warship. A Black Swan-class sloop with twin 4-inch mountings would have still greater firepower.