Has anyone got a clue what the best strategy is for placing ships on the quick battle screen?
I tend to be quite simplistic in my approach as 'The Nelson Touch' requires enemy ships to be 'engaged more closely' and so I stuff all my line of battle ships in the 'Melee Line'. But I'm not sure if that is realy the best strategy. I notice the AI distributes its ships between the Melee and Volley line.
You should take a look at the war room and Ralegh's guide as well as other older threats. The first rule for naval battles is to be master of the winds.