A first rate's height gave the commanding admiral an unusually broad view of the fleet and surrounding sea. Its many guns made the ship a fortress-like center for command rather than merely a larger unit in the line. To observers ashore, rows of powerful ships followed by a three-deck flagship multiplied the psychological effect of the fleet's arrival. The drilled crew and visibly ranked officers turned naval organization itself into a display of the state behind the squadron.
Notable Point · 40:02-41:22
First rates as command platforms and intimidating state power
Height gave an admiral a commanding view, while three gun decks, disciplined crews, and visible hierarchy made a first rate a floating statement of national power.