Length of service mattered, but it did not guarantee an officer an active flag command. The Admiralty could reward good service with faster promotion, punish misconduct by pushing an officer down the list, or remove him entirely. An officer could also be made an admiral of the yellow, receiving the title while being confined to shore service. That device preserved rank and social dignity without entrusting a fleet to someone the Navy did not want in operational command. Duncan's conventional promotion tempo therefore reflects both his postings and the institution's continuing judgment of his usefulness.
Notable Point · 7:22-8:48
How the Admiralty managed promotion and the yellow squadron
Duncan's measured rise opens an explanation of how the Admiralty could accelerate, stall, or quietly end an officer's active career despite formal seniority.