A maneuver in naval tactics in which, with both opposing fleets in column, one fleet succeeds in passing in front of the enemy column and perpendicular to it. In the age of sail and naval gunnery, “crossing the T” gave a decided advantage to the fleet achieving that maneuver in that it was thus able to bring to bear all its guns on the side toward the enemy whereas the enemy ships, being in column, could bring to bear few of their guns, the majority being masked by the friendly ships sailing before them in the column.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
