Why the Royal Navy feared Suffren

British officers often referred to Pierre-André de Suffren simply as "the admiral," a mark of unusual respect and apprehension. Suffren made limited forces strategically dangerous by accepting risks that more cautious commanders would reject. The Royal Navy could not spare its strongest commanders to pursue him while he dominated the Indian Ocean. His campaign also gave later French leaders, including Napoleon, a precedent for believing British power overseas could be challenged.