St Vincent's appointment was not popular among the officers of the Channel fleet.Tucker. Vol. 2, p. 10Tucker. Vol. 2, p. 89 His reputation as a strict disciplinarian had followed him from the Mediterranean and he immediately issued orders banning officers and captains from sleeping ashore and forbade them from travelling more than three miles from their ship.Tucker. Vol. 2, p. 11Tucker. Vol. 2, p. 97 The wife of one of his captains is said to have toasted the news of his appointment with the line "May his next glass of wine choke the wretch."Tucker. Vol. 2, p. 37
