Roosevelt compares American, British, and French single-ship actions

Roosevelt compares single-ship fighting in the American Revolution, the clashes with France in 1798, and the War of 1812. His account moves from British superiority over the Americans to American parity and then superiority, with French relative performance declining. The American commanders' skill and innovations receive recognition, while the accompanying interpretation also gives weight to their larger frigates. Those heavy ships reflected the decision to fund a small frigate force instead of ships of the line. British and French attention remained concentrated on their larger European opponents, complicating the use of ships sent against America as representatives of their whole navies. The comparison considers individual actions alongside ship strength and the forces committed to each theatre.