Jellicoe was the strongest professional alternative to Battenberg, but the Royal Navy needed him with the Grand Fleet. Beresford was less capable than Fisher and remained deeply divisive. Giving Beresford the Admiralty would preserve the factional struggle that had already damaged naval administration. Battenberg therefore remains the practical First Sea Lord once Fisher is removed from the counterfactual.
Notable Point · 7:46-8:30
Why Battenberg remains the practical First Sea Lord
Jellicoe was needed with the Grand Fleet, while Beresford's factional record left Battenberg as the practical choice.