Tryon's career included Crimean War service, HMS Warrior, reform of the Australia Station, and work that helped develop naval intelligence. He also raised the problem of insuring merchant trade against wartime seizure, anticipating a major strategic issue. At sea he criticized elaborate signalling systems that could fail when flags were shot away. His TA method required captains to watch the flagship and act with initiative even without detailed signals. The paradox was that Tryon's knowledge and force of personality made him appear infallible, so officers who were expected to think independently did not challenge his fatal direct order. The collision therefore demonstrates how a command culture can defeat the doctrine it officially promotes.
Notable Point · 2:05:17-2:07:08
George Tryon's initiative system ended in obedient catastrophe
Tryon opposed signal-bound command and trained captains to use initiative, yet his authority made subordinates obey the order that sank his flagship.