Prince of Wales, a 98-gun second rate, was the only ship above the third rate in Gambier's initial force. The rest included solid fighting ships such as Captain, Goliath, Hercules, Orion, Resolution, Spencer, and Vanguard. Gambier's seniority gave him enough influence to request a first rate if he wanted one. He chose a workmanlike fleet and left the navy's largest ships available for other commands. Even his vice admiral received a third-rate flagship, showing that operational fit mattered more than prestige.
Chapter · 18:45-21:08
Why Gambier built the fleet around third rates
Gambier chose capable 74-gun and 64-gun third rates for Copenhagen, preserving scarce first rates for operations elsewhere.