How many ships did the West Africa Squadron have in 1808?

The correct decision is based on historical context regarding the West Africa Squadron, which was tasked with suppressing the transatlantic slave trade. In 1808, the British established this squadron as part of their efforts to enforce the abolition of the slave trade. During its early years, the squadron's effectiveness was hampered by limited resources, including the number of vessels assigned to the mission.

In 1808, there were indeed two ships in service as part of the West Africa Squadron. These vessels were responsible for patrolling the waters off the coast of West Africa to intercept slave ships and enforce the legal prohibition against the slave trade that had been put in place by Britain. This early stage laid the groundwork for a more extensive and organized approach that would follow in subsequent years, ultimately leading to a larger fleet and increased naval presence in the region as the campaign against the slave trade intensified.