Were new post captains normally given flagships?

Were captains normally given a flagship as their first post ship so the admiral could advise them?

Usually not; new post captains more often began in a sixth rate or small fifth rate, while flagship captains might have to assume fleet command.

A first-time post captain would more commonly receive a sixth rate or small fifth rate, where mistakes carried less cost. A flagship captain normally needed enough experience to assume command if the admiral were incapacitated. Some flagships carried both a fleet captain and another captain responsible for the ship, but such arrangements did not make flagships the usual training command for newly posted officers. Rodney's unusual first post command of a 60-gun ship reflected ten years of sea experience and his familiarity with fourth rates.