St Vincent attacked corruption and inefficiency but lacked the administrative experience and consultation needed to reform a complex dockyard system safely. Aggressive inquiries, contempt for the Navy Board, and suspicion of contractors damaged morale and made suppliers reluctant just as war with France resumed. His strategic judgment was much stronger than his administrative practice. Selecting Cornwallis, Nelson, and Keith placed highly capable commanders where their different strengths served the wider war. Cornwallis and Keith maintained the containing barrier while Nelson acted as the offensive instrument against any French fleet that escaped. The contrast shows that excellence in operational appointments did not automatically confer the institutional knowledge needed for successful reform.
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St Vincent's strategic strength and administrative failure
Andrew Lambert's Admirals contrasts St Vincent's effective command appointments with reforms that damaged dockyard capacity and trust.