American frigates could win successful actions during the War of 1812. Their options narrowed when British ships of the line appeared, because a frigate could not sensibly fight a full-sized line-of-battle ship. The comparison includes British 64s and 74s as well as larger rates. The absence of an American battle fleet is linked to the Senate's lack of investment in those ships.
Notable Point · 59:13-59:49
Why frigate victories did not replace a battle fleet
Successful American frigate actions did not remove the threat posed by British ships of the line.