Michael’s Reviews > Most Secret and Confidential: Intelligence in the Age of Nelson > Status Update

It keeps getting better. Make sure you don't accidentally skip any pages.

The evidence says much of Nelson's success stemmed from his obsession with communications and detail in a time when things moved much slower, and there were much fewer dependable lines of communication. If the enemy didn't get him at Trafalgar, stress might have.

Misinformation, spies, bribes, and Admiral Nelson's keen analytical mind worked together, despite his missing eye and arm. Communication lacked the speed and efficiency of today but was still the deciding factor in much of the major historical events of those times. These pages tend to gain nautical speed with each page and chapter.

We have been deceived.
Real sea commanders in the age of sail also had hours of boring paperwork almost every day. It wasn't all about outsmarting the enemy, keeping the crew fit and well, maintaining the ship. Captains and admirals had to do all of that, too.
Studying these bosses, and their expectations teaches a lot about people. Us and them.

So, who was in charge of Royal Navy Intelligence into the days of Nelson? Everybody for a while. Some good leadership eventually emerged, but there was some catching up to do.

Plenty of surprises early on. George Washington's understanding and use of intelligence was strongly noted by England as its intel services were growing in the age of Napoleon.

The English post office and Lloyd's of London were also considerable contributors in this period.