Duncan had no first- or second-rates in the North Sea Fleet; even his flagship Venerable was a 74-gun third rate. In this account, the force mix was deliberately proportionate to a Dutch fleet of capable sailors but no larger ships that required British first rates. Third- and fourth-rates were considered sufficient for the theater. The same economy imposed a tactical limit at Camperdown: Venerable could not fight two Dutch flagships indefinitely without support.
Notable Point · 1:26:24-1:27:06
Why Duncan's North Sea Fleet needed no first rates
Venerable's limits reveal a North Sea Fleet built from third- and fourth-rates sized to match the Dutch threat rather than first-rate prestige.