After study at the Imperial Defence College and command responsibilities at Halifax, Nelles was positioned to lead the service. A proposed promotion in 1931 stalled because the government would not fund another captain. In January 1933, he became the first officer in Royal Canadian Navy history confirmed in that rank. He became acting chief of the naval staff in December 1933, received the permanent appointment and promotion to commodore in July 1934, and reached rear admiral in 1938. The six Canadian River-class destroyers available in 1939 comprised two A-class ships and four C-class vessels acquired after Royal Navy service. Alongside them were only five minesweepers, two training vessels, 145 officers, and 1,674 ratings.
Chapter · 30:49-33:39
A chief of naval staff constrained by austerity
Nelles's rapid rise to chief of the naval staff was repeatedly limited by a budget so tight that the RCN initially could not afford another captain.