Command initiative at the Glorious First of June

Collingwood first served as Rear-Admiral George Bowyer's flag captain in HMS Prince, then transferred with him to HMS Barfleur before the Glorious First of June. When Bowyer lost a leg in the battle, Collingwood assumed command of Barfleur. No other admiral was close enough to coordinate the local fight, so he used the flagship's signals to direct surrounding vessels as well. The initiative worked because the recipients saw orders coming from an admiral's flagship even though the flag captain was issuing them. Collingwood later received a belated naval gold medal for the action, and his willingness to fill the command gap raised his reputation among senior officers.