An illustrative A-, B-, and C-grade scheme distinguishes exceptional Royal Navy leaders from dependable professionals and competent officers retained for shortages. Nelson, Collingwood, Duncan, and Rodney supply examples of the first group, but these grades are an informal comparison rather than an official classification. In this assessment, Greig belongs to the competent reserve: useful and solid, with conventional battle tactics. A larger and tougher Russian fleet allowed him to employ those tactics successfully if he avoided serious mistakes. A smaller or evenly matched fleet would have had greater need for tactical innovation. His years as a lieutenant also supplied extensive practice in motivating, organising, and training crews, strengths that mattered even without unusual tactical originality.
Notable Point · 17:05-20:24
Why a conventional officer can win with a superior fleet
An informal grading of Royal Navy officers places Greig below the exceptional innovators but shows why training and reliable conventional tactics could exploit Russian material superiority.