Frigates sustain blockade, supply, and information

Frigates supplied information, presence, and communications, and escorted the provision convoys that kept blockading squadrons at sea. Ships in the Channel Squadron commonly remained out for twenty weeks, with some reaching twenty-three weeks. They could not do this without receiving supplies, even though ships also returned to places such as Torbay for repair, refit, and replenishment. Frigates escorted the supply ships in convoys moving between the fleet and its bases. Ships of the line travelling back to the fleet could accompany these convoys while retaining independent orders. That distinction allowed them to leave the convoy and rejoin the fleet quickly when the situation required it. A frigate shortage therefore affected the supply and coordination of the whole fleet.