Nelson and Collingwood were both vice admirals, but Nelson's white-squadron rank placed him above Collingwood's blue without any dispute over seniority. After Trafalgar, Collingwood advanced to vice admiral of the red, skipping a colour grade and rising to about fifth place in the hierarchy. That promotion left him in command of the Mediterranean, senior to any arriving officer short of a full admiral. Guns from HMS Royal Sovereign later became part of his monument on Tyneside. The rank system therefore connected operational authority with reward and public memory.
Notable Point · 51:16-52:53
Collingwood's rank, Mediterranean command, and memorial
Colour rank established Nelson's authority before Trafalgar, while victory promoted Collingwood and left him the senior British commander in the Mediterranean.