I am not feeling well enough for heated discussion - but I can at least provide some info on Wentworth's pay. Below is link to a site which gives rates of pay for different ranks in the Navy. Depending on the Laconia's rating, his net pay would have been around £300 pa - when he had a ship. By the time of the novel, he would have been on half pay. Frigate Captain's pay was quite a bit lower than that of Captains of ships of the line, as they had more opportunity for prize money.