A squadron flag captain also served as chief of staff

Somerville remained flag captain when Hugh Dudley Richards Watson succeeded John Kelly, an unusual continuity across two admirals. Watson had substantial ship-command experience but communications was considered a weakness, so Somerville's specialty balanced the command team. In a battle squadron that lacked a separate permanent chief of staff, the flag captain effectively performed that role while also commanding the flagship. Somerville therefore served as the admiral's sounding board, interpreted the wider situation, and helped turn intent into communications while still running Benbow. The relationship was reciprocal: Kelly and Watson could advise him on managing a major warship, while he supplied the signals expertise their staffs needed.