The review's final example is an unawarded action: Calder's encounter with Villeneuve off Cape Finisterre in 1805. The Admiralty intended Calder to prevent the returning Franco-Spanish fleet from concentrating, and his force intercepted Villeneuve after taking station off Ferrol. Calder captured two Spanish ships of the line and temporarily blocked the enemy, but the engagement remained indecisive. His court-martial and severe reprimand show that a respectable tactical gain could still be judged inadequate when the service expected a commander to press for a decisive strategic result.
Notable Point · 15:34-18:06
Calder's Cape Finisterre action and Admiralty judgment
The closing case reconstructs Calder's 1805 action off Cape Finisterre and explains why capturing two ships still failed the Admiralty's test for offensive fleet command.