Roosevelt's history of the War of 1812 provides an account of naval warfare in his own words. American heavy frigates won notable victories, but their suitability for American needs did not make them an economical answer to Britain's requirements. Britain needed frigates in sufficient numbers for cruising work and could use ships of the line against heavier opponents. A heavy frigate cost too much for many of those cruising duties while remaining too small for a ship of the line's role. Its value therefore depended on the fleet and tasks for which it was built.
Notable Point · 1:38:27-1:40:08
Roosevelt's War of 1812 history and the purpose of heavy frigates
Roosevelt's naval history prompts a comparison between American heavy frigates and Britain's different requirements for cruising ships and ships of the line.