"Although scarcely five years old and an oak-built ship, the Blanche had become so thoroughly infected with the dry-rot, that the enemy's shot passed clean through her side, scattering dust instead of splinters. To this, and to her short-manned state, has been mainly attributed the smallness of the Blanche's loss, in reference to the time the ship was engaged, the force opposed to her, and the alleged closeness of the action."
James, "Naval History of Great Britain, 1793-1820" (1826), v4, p.203
Who knew??!
Howie