Quote Originally Posted by David Manley View Post
Because, as we have also already discussed, the Americans were also well trained, could sustain a high rate of fire and used decent tactics as well. Hardly surprising though given the genesis of the US Navy in the Royal Navy
To sum it up, if you went up against an American 24-pounder frigate with a British 18-pounder frigate, it could be said that it would have been expected or "unsurprising" that you were going to lose. After all the American ship was better armed and Captain and crew were just as good (actually better in most cases according to some sources) as those on British ships. Why then did the British engage the American 24-pounder frigates with 18-pounder frigates on three occasions, resulting in the loss of all three frigates?