He had a cordial working relationship with First Lord of the Admiralty (and former Prime Minister) Arthur Balfour, but largely concerned himself with administrative matters and his prestige suffered when German destroyers appeared in the Channel, as a result of which he was replaced in December 1916.
Dia memiliki hubungan kerja baik dengan First Lord of the Admiralty (dan mantan Perdana Menteri) Arthur Balfour, tetapi sebagian besar fokus dengan hal-hal administratif dan prestise-nya menderita ketika kapal perusak Jerman muncul di Selat Inggris, yang menyebabkan ia digantikan pada bulan Desember 1916.