CLERKE, John of Eldin (1730-1812), the author of the celebrated naval manoeuvre of Breaking the Line, which led to Lord Rodney's victory over the French under De Grasse. (See WAR; NAVAL TACTICS). It is worthy of observation, as a singular fact, that a man who has written so distinctly on the mode of managing a fleet should never have made a single voyage. Sir Howard Douglas has claimed the invention of this manoeuvre for Lord Rodney, but on very slender grounds.