The Royal Navy deliberately balanced contrasting senior personalities on the China Station. A forceful commander-in-chief could be paired with a more diplomatic Rear-Admiral Yangtze, or the relationship could be reversed when the senior commander was the conciliatory figure. Reginald Tyrwhitt supplied coercive credibility, while Arthur Waistell represented the more diplomatic style that followed him. The arrangement gave the station an intimidating public face while preserving a way to maintain working political relationships. Command appointments could therefore signal British intentions.
Chapter · 4:20-5:25
China Station command alternates force and diplomacy
Admirals Reginald Tyrwhitt and Arthur Waistell illustrate how the China Station paired an intimidating commander with a more diplomatic counterpart.