The colour system did more than decide who took command when officers met. It let the Navy accelerate a trusted officer within a rank or leave a less impressive one to progress more slowly while preserving a clear hierarchy. Collingwood's post-Trafalgar move from Vice Admiral of the Blue directly to Vice Admiral of the Red rewarded confidence in him without making him a full admiral. The intermediate grades also helped manage disputes over experience and precedence in a fleet too large for a few undifferentiated ranks. The Royal Navy considered reviving the system during the Second World War for the same reason.
Chapter · 11:08-14:50
Promotion through the colours
Promotion between blue, white and red let the Navy reward and rank officers without waiting to create a new full admiral.