He was not made captain all that young - about bang on average for someone who became lieutenant in the very early years of the 19th Century, and particularly for someone who the became one of the 'Star Captains' (see my post above about this).

Sorry - as you will have realised, I have made a bit of a study of all this. I hope it is helpful, and does not feel like a battering! I am so impressed with JA's grasp of these matters - even though she had sailor brothers she has an understanding of how it all worked that surpassess what you would automatically assume from that, and which is confirmed by detailed historical research.