Tryon led one column of six ships, which formed the first division of his fleet, in his flagship "Victoria" travelling at . His deputy – Rear-Admiral Albert Hastings Markham – was in the lead ship of the second division of five ships, the "Camperdown". Markham's normal divisional flagship – – was being refitted. Unusually for Tryon, he had discussed his plans for anchoring the fleet with some of his officers. The two columns were to turn inwards in succession by 180°, thus closing to and reversing their direction of travel. After travelling a few miles in this formation, the whole fleet would slow and simultaneously turn 90° to port and drop their anchors for the night. The officers had observed that was much too close and suggested that the columns should start at least apart; even this would leave insufficient margin for safety. The normal turning circles of the ships involved would have meant that a gap between the two columns of would be needed to leave a space between the columns of on completion of the manoeuvre. Tryon had confirmed that eight cables should be needed for the manoeuvre the officers expected, but had later signalled for the columns to close to six cables . Two of his officers gingerly queried whether the order was what he intended, and he brusquely confirmed that it was.