Hotkey "E" or an illusion?

[Wondian]

When I pressed the E key by mistake as my Galley selected, it made a strange movement and ended up on an ocean tile where it will eventually sink!!
I could not see such a hotkey in the game help. Does anyone know what's the use of it? ("Evade" or something like this? If so why?).

 

[mark1030]

In the manual, E (or shift+E...can't recall) gives orders to explore. I read that and didn't know exactly what it did. I guess it sends your unit out to uncover the unexplored areas.