The ship carrying Rodney's victory dispatch passed the vessel bringing Admiral Hugh Pigot to replace him. Once news reached Britain, the government sent a cutter in an unsuccessful attempt to recall Pigot. Rodney pointedly left his powerful flagship Formidable for his successor and came home in the 74-gun HMS Montagu. He received a peerage and a £2,000 annual pension, then largely withdrew from politics to country life until his death in 1792. He nevertheless faced lawsuits from people who said his St Eustatius seizures had wronged them. His active command career was effectively over after 1782, although his formal Royal Navy career continued until his death.
Chapter · 3:01:33-3:06:21
Recall, reward, and Rodney's quiet retirement
The government tried too late to reverse Rodney's recall, then rewarded the victorious admiral as he retired from politics and active command.