One of the great effects of the broadside was crossing the T, bringing all major guns to bare on the enemy coming towards you, or moving away. The Royal Navy managed to complete this manouver twice at Jutland in WW1.
I was surprised to learn recently that when the Hood attacked Bismarck she was steaming head on and only able to fire two turrets, the complete opposite of the tactic used in WW1. Surely you are an easier target when presenting the ships bow, opposed to presenting a side on attack, ie a broadside.
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