Why Seymour was a poor fit for the Mediterranean station

Did Seymour's character make him an unsuitable Mediterranean commander?

He was probably the best officer available at his rank, but his strengths suited a home or Channel fleet better than a station requiring constant diplomacy.

Seymour was a competent seaman, but the appointment matched rank and availability more closely than the political requirements of the Mediterranean station. A home or Channel fleet would have made greater use of his naval command ability without demanding the same degree of independent diplomacy. Alexandria therefore offers an institutional lesson about officer selection. A capable officer can still fail when the appointment does not fit the mission.