Nelson's offer and Calder's Trafalgar absence

Nelson offered Calder a practical route out of the reputation crisis: remain with the fleet, let the coming battle answer the critics, and keep Prince of Wales in the line. Nelson also defended Calder privately against easy hindsight, observing that both of them ought to have fought and that no commander could guarantee greater success. The 98-gun second rate would have raised Nelson's force from twenty-seven to twenty-eight ships of the line and strengthened its heavy-ship advantage. Calder instead went home shortly before Trafalgar, leaving the later court martial to be judged against Nelson's overwhelming victory and death. The record cleared Calder of cowardice, while his departure remained the wrong strategic and reputational choice during a national fleet crisis.