The captain of a flagship was distinct from the senior officer assisting an admiral with fleet administration and coordination. At Ushant, Jonathan Faulknor commanded HMS Victory while Rear Admiral John Campbell served Keppel in what could be called a captain-of-the-fleet or staff role. Standardized labels such as first and second captain can misrepresent British practice because contemporary titles and duties varied. The distinction matters because a 29-ship battle fleet required command of the flagship itself and staff capacity for the wider formation.
Notable Point · 27:32-29:40
Flag captain, fleet staff, and command at sea
Keppel's flagship staff explains why the captain commanding HMS Victory was distinct from the senior officer helping an admiral administer and coordinate a large fleet.