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Why did the Royal Navy begin avoiding one-on-one battles with American frigates?

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1812, War of — War of 1812 Battle between the frigates HMS *Shannon* and USS *Chesapeake* off Boston during the War of 1812; detail of a lithograph Louis Haghe after by J.C. Schetky.

During the War of 1812, the Royal Navy began avoiding one-on-one battles with American frigates because the U.S. Navy’s frigates—such as the Constitution—were designed by Joshua Humphreys to be superior to standard vessels of the era.12

These American ships were built to be longer, broader, and more stable than typical frigates, allowing them to carry more guns and maintain better maneuverability while remaining as fast as any other fighting ship. The effectiveness of this design was demonstrated on August 19, 1812, when the Constitution defeated the British frigate Guerriere. During this engagement, American sailors observed that British shot failed to penetrate the ship's thick oak sides, leading to the vessel's famous nickname, "Old Ironsides". Faced with these technologically advanced ships that could outgun and withstand fire better than their own, the Royal Navy became more cautious in engaging them in single-ship duels.21