A third-rate ship of the line could reinforce an area already visited by frigates. Larger ships were expensive to send cruising, so the third rate offered a practical increase in weight without committing the largest battle-line vessels. The Invincible name had associations with ships that backed cruising missions as well as fighting battles. A visit also reminded observers that the Royal Navy possessed many more ships of comparable strength. That visible reserve gave local authorities a reason to take the smaller frigate's next visit seriously.
Notable Point · 22:31-23:34
Third rates added weight to frigate diplomacy
Occasional visits by third rates reinforced routine frigate presence and signalled that the Royal Navy could send a much larger force.