Ernle Chatfield's authority as First Sea Lord encountered Reginald Henderson's influence as Third Sea Lord. The relationship is characterized as one in which Henderson would first humor a proposal, then try to dissuade Chatfield and, if necessary, expose its weaknesses. On that reading, Henderson's entrenched position made him difficult to remove or reposition before he wished to leave. Chatfield consequently faced limits on his ability to direct his own administration despite his formal seniority. Their disagreement places the small-carrier proposals within the practical distribution of power inside the Admiralty.
Notable Point · 42:49-43:55
Chatfield and Henderson reveal power inside naval administration
The First Sea Lord's formal authority did not guarantee control when an entrenched Third Sea Lord possessed the design expertise and institutional position to resist him.