During the War of the Austrian Succession, Mathews sent Rodney to destroy Spanish supplies intended for an invasion of Genoa. Success brought promotion to post captain, the rank required to command a rated warship, and the 60-gun HMS Plymouth. Rodney was only about twenty-four, but had already accumulated roughly a decade of service. His background in fourth rates made a small ship of the line a more natural command for him than the frigate path followed by many contemporaries.
Chapter · 37:15-41:24
The Ventimiglia raid wins Rodney post rank
A successful small-craft raid against Spanish stores brought the young Rodney promotion and command of the 60-gun HMS Plymouth.