Why stronger fleets seek superior numbers

A sensible American commander should avoid an equal battle when the United States can afford to bring more ships. A larger force can reduce its own casualties because it creates local superiority instead of merely adding a proportional margin. The explanation uses the age-of-sail idea of doubling on an enemy ship: one extra unit can help overwhelm one opponent, then be shifted to the next. British commanders are also described as reluctant to accept an evenly matched action unless they believed they had no choice. Numerical advantage can compound through concentration, making force selection part of tactics as well as strategy.