Mixed orders weakened deterrence in the Russo-Turkish crisis

Hornby took the Mediterranean command after a turn as Second Naval Lord, declining promotion to First Naval Lord because he preferred an active seagoing post. He prepared a reinforced force around the heavily armed central-battery ironclad HMS Alexandra, including his preferred second-in-command and contingency ships. British political leadership then alternated between firmness and withdrawal whenever Russia renewed promises to stop advancing. Repeated reversals also weakened Ottoman confidence in British intentions as Russian forces approached Constantinople. In this interpretation, the mixed signals advertised weakness and made conflict more likely until Hornby finally received authority to act decisively.