The command list includes Anson, Hawke, Howe, St Vincent, Cornwallis, and other senior Royal Navy officers. Appointments sometimes went to commodores because too few admirals were fit for sea service. Nelson briefly served as St Vincent's second in command, while Cornwallis covered the western approaches during the Trafalgar campaign. St Vincent's return to command in 1806 shows that Trafalgar had not ended concern about the naval threat. The squadron was disbanded from 1833 to 1845 and revived in 1846. Political trust mattered because failure could expose Britain to invasion, and well-connected commanders could press for the bases and supplies their mission required.
Notable Point · 1:20:14-1:32:09
Why the Western Squadron drew senior commanders
The Western Squadron repeatedly drew senior and politically connected officers because Britain entrusted it with the immediate defense of the Channel.