in december 1826 codrington was appointed commander-in-chief, mediterranean fleet and sailed on 1 february 1827. from that date until his recall on 21 june 1828 he was engaged in the arduous duties imposed on him by the greek war of independence, which had led to anarchy in occupied greece and surrounding areas. his orders were to enforce a peaceful solution on the situation in greece, but codrington was not known for his diplomacy, and on 20 october 1827 he destroyed the turkish and egyptian fleet at the battle of navarino while in command of a combined british, french and russian fleet.