I also remember from Hornblower and Aubrey and Bolitho about the importance of rising high enough that you could still live on your half pay during times of peace or professional inactivity but I can’t recall if that’s at the rank of Post Captain?
Technically anyone could live off their half pay if they were frugal enough, but of course a half pay lieutenant would struggle mightily to keep up genteel appearances. Post captains could probably manage it, though, so yes, that's a reasonable assessment.
I also remember from Hornblower and Aubrey and Bolitho about the importance of rising high enough that you could still live on your half pay during times of peace or professional inactivity but I can’t recall if that’s at the rank of Post Captain?
Technically anyone could live off their half pay if they were frugal enough, but of course a half pay lieutenant would struggle mightily to keep up genteel appearances. Post captains could probably manage it, though, so yes, that's a reasonable assessment.