Improved technology moved the 74 beyond the long-lived 64 and onto a favorable point of the capability-versus-cost curve. France developed the first true examples, and Britain soon adopted the idea, built more, and captured French ships for Royal Navy service. First and second rates supplied leadership and concentrated firepower. The more numerous third rates gave those capital ships the fleet strength needed to reach and strike the enemy. In the video's axe comparison, the larger rates form the cutting head and reliable, replaceable 74s form the shaft.
Chapter · 40:17-43:52
Third rates as the fleet's working strength
French design leadership and British mass adoption turned the 74 into the working structure that made a battle fleet effective.