David Farragut, born in 1801, entered the US Navy as a Midshipman in 1810, and was given command of a captured British whaling ship while serving in the War of 1812.
He was twelve.
Four years later, he was in the Mediterranean addressing pirates along the Barbary Coast.
And all the time, he had a crew. And had been training on ships since he was 9.
Most aspiring young sailors crew racing vessels or deliver purchased boats the “learn the ropes”. Did Abby even sail the Wild Eyes from the point of purchase to her home?
No.