A boat being six feet wide and twenty-seven feet long, if a space of
twelve feet wide and thirty-nine feet long be allowed for each boat,
four hundred and forty of them would range side by side in the distance
of one mile, then leaving twelve feet from the stems of the first row
to the sterns of the second, and a like space between each line, the
five thousand boats could be laid up on a beach or plane one mile long,
one hundred and fifty yards wide, and give sufficient room for the men
to get at the boats without confusion; this plan would not require the
expence of forming a bason or harbour. Thus arranged, each boat with its
Torpedo, harpoon-guns, arms, and oars, in their places, and the twelve
men in their stations, six on each side of the boat, the whole could be
run into the water and manned in an hour, which facility of embarking is
of the first importance for rapid movements, and to take advantage of the
weather.[K]
[Footnote K: When the British fleet is becalmed before Boulogne, the
French flotilla is becalmed also, and cannot make any advantageous
movements. The calms which lay the British fleet under great
disadvantage, will give every possible advantage to the Torpedo boats,
and will be the most favourable time for the attack.]