Nelson became Rear Admiral of the Blue in February 1797 after roughly twenty-five years in the Royal Navy. That length of service made him experienced, yet contemporaries with comparable seniority had advanced much less quickly. Appointment to the blue rather than inactive yellow rank showed that the service intended to employ him. John Jervis had become an admirer after Nelson's battle performance, but promotion still left unresolved whether his temperament could serve the Navy as effectively in peace as in war.
Notable Point · 45:11-46:44
Promotion raised the question of Nelson's peacetime value
Nelson reached Rear Admiral of the Blue at thirty-eight with ample seniority, but the Navy still had reason to doubt his suitability outside war.