The image of a frigate sailing alone captured personal heroism, but independent command also brought powerful financial incentives. A captain could choose what to pursue and shared prize proceeds among fewer people than an officer attached to an admiral's squadron. The earning potential could make officers fight to retain a fifth-rate command rather than accept a more prestigious ship of the line. Captured ships and protected commerce made a fifth rate valuable to its navy as well as lucrative for its captain and crew. Borrowing Terry Pratchett's phrase, successful cruising could make it a self-financing portion of naval power.
Notable Point · 13:36-18:17
Independent cruising, fame, and prize money
Frigates became the emblem of the Age of Sail because independent command offered both dramatic exploits and unusually strong financial incentives.