Yellow admirals were experienced captains promoted to rear-admiral rank without being given active flag commands. Their experience made them a possible reserve if the navy ran short of captains. One arrangement would return an older yellow admiral to a ship's command and pair him with a younger commander who supplied energy but lacked comparable experience. A newly activated first-, second-, or third-rate could then draw on both men's strengths. The option is described as available but never used by the British.
Notable Point · 10:56-12:26
Yellow admirals as an unused reserve of captains
Recalling yellow admirals as captains offered a possible way to ease officer shortages, though the option is described as unused.