Political factions needed capable Admiralty officeholders because a major naval failure could quickly bring down a government. Tiny electorates and close personal networks also made incompetence difficult to conceal. Admirals faced the same practical constraint when choosing junior officers: connections could open a door, but those clients still had to command ships and win battles. A failed favourite damaged the patron who had advanced him as well as the fleet he served. Dependable subordinates needed enough independence to challenge a bad decision. Effective patronage therefore joined personal loyalty to tested ability and candid advice.
Notable Point · 31:31-37:13
Why naval patronage still required competence
Small electorates and unforgiving naval operations made competent, candid clients more valuable to patrons than compliant favourites who could not perform.