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Despite the victory, Admiral Codrington found himself in trouble....

Despite the victory, Admiral Codrington found himself in trouble....

In the overall scheme of things, the engagement had been meant to hold the Ottoman fleet at bay – keep it out of the action so to speak – not to bring it to battle. Indeed, Codrington and Pasha had actually discussed the diplomatic niceties of the situation - a major reason for Britain and France's engagement in Greece's struggle was the two nations' reluctance to have Russia gain too much power from the disintegrating Ottoman Empire. Less than 30 years later, the [[Crimean War]] was fought on these very grounds. In some quarters it was thought that the [[Royal Navy]] frigate that had reacted to the musketry with cannon fire had brought on the melee deliberately. Codrington, who had been chosen by the Admiralty for his diplomatic skills as much as his naval ability, found himself back in London facing charges of disobeying orders. He avoided official admonishment but was kept relatively close to home for the remainder of his career – commander of the [[English Channel|Channel Squadron]] before being given command of the [[Plymouth]] Naval Base.

In the overall scheme of things, the engagement had been meant to hold the Ottoman fleet at bay – keep it out of the action so to speak – not to bring it to battle. Indeed, Codrington and Pasha had actually discussed the diplomatic niceties of the situation – a major reason for Britain and France's engagement in Greece's struggle was the two nations' reluctance to have Russia gain too much power from the disintegrating Ottoman Empire. Less than 30 years later, the [[Crimean War]] was fought on these very grounds. In some quarters it was thought that the [[Royal Navy]] frigate that had reacted to the musketry with cannon fire had brought on the melee deliberately. Codrington, who had been chosen by the Admiralty for his diplomatic skills as much as his naval ability, found himself back in London facing charges of disobeying orders. He avoided official admonishment but was kept relatively close to home for the remainder of his career – commander of the [[English Channel|Channel Squadron]] before being given command of the [[Plymouth]] Naval Base.

Navarino’s importance lies in its being the last significant naval engagement wholly between sail-driven vessels – though most of the vessels on both sides were at anchor for most of the battle.

Navarino’s importance lies in its being the last significant naval engagement wholly between sail-driven vessels – though most of the vessels on both sides were at anchor for most of the battle.