The command biographies explain why Codrington naturally led the coalition despite the sensitivities of multinational command. He combined Trafalgar and War of 1812 experience with an aggressive preference for diplomacy backed by force. Rigny had distinguished himself largely ashore and had limited experience commanding large warships, while the Dutch-born Van Heyden brought extensive Russian service in the Baltic and confined waters. The coalition thus paired uneven formal status with complementary skills, though Codrington trusted Van Heyden more readily than the French commander.
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Three Allied admirals brought very different strengths
Codrington combined deep combat experience with blunt diplomacy, Rigny was primarily a land officer, and Van Heyden supplied seasoned naval judgment.