The challenge of leading inexperienced mixed forces

Farragut's Civil War task resembled Effingham's command of a fleet containing many private vessels during the Spanish Armada campaign. Both leaders had to make a heterogeneous force operate as a fleet and assign people work suited to their capabilities. Effingham managed strong-willed subordinates by framing assignments around the work they were naturally inclined and equipped to perform. Farragut's difficulty was intensified by junior commanders who lacked his depth in navigation and professional sea service, sometimes forcing him to handle crucial tasks personally.