Changing Admiral's Flagship

So, i want to give one of my admirals a new ship, Scipion 122 guns, that i captured from villeneuve. I know that i can achieve that by scuppering the admiral's ship, and he will move onto the big one, but id like to preserve the 106 gun ship he currently has.
any thoughts?

I've been having the same problem and I don't think there's a solution other than the one you've already mentioned.

I have wondered this also

This question has come up a few times, and pretty sure there is no other way than disbanding the current ship. It's a game design issue that never got addressed. The same problem came up in Empire: Total War, as since NTW uses the same game engine, it has the same problem.

Very annoying problem too. Most of my naval battles are fought by frigates, so my best admiral is usually stuck on a 32-gun boat (with a highly experienced crew) that I don't want to disband. Meanwhile, my capital ship fleet mostly sits in port as "fleet-in-being", and if on the French campaign, it's usually that idiot Villeneuve who never gets a chance to improve. So the incompetence of naval command ends up being self-perpetuating.

Bugger. I have Thomas Cochrane in a 28 gun frigate, when I'd like to transfer him into a Razee or a 74. At least Nelson is in a 106 gunner, but I captured "Santissima Trinidad" from the spanish, and I'd love to have him using that big monster.

Personally, I think third-rates are better combat ships than those overly large 122-cannon pigs. They may have ridiculous firepower, but they're too slow and sluggish for my liking. Of course it may be different in an online engagement, but against the AI I'm doing a heck of a lot better with a navy based on third-rates.
Hell, you can probably build 2 third-rates for the cost of one heavy first-rate, and together they should be able to outfight a heavy first-rate.

Originally Posted by antred

Personally, I think third-rates are better combat ships than those overly large 122-cannon pigs. They may have ridiculous firepower, but they're too slow and sluggish for my liking. Of course it may be different in an online engagement, but against the AI I'm doing a heck of a lot better with a navy based on third-rates.
Hell, you can probably build 2 third-rates for the cost of one heavy first-rate, and together they should be able to outfight a heavy first-rate.

You're right I think... but there's is something a little bit special about having your admiral lead your fleet in line astern aboard the biggest mofo on the waves. I've seen third rates run rings around 1st rates on more than a few occasions... I captured the Santissima Trinidad with a tag-team of 74s from memory.

Im not sure its possible, has any one tried drag dropping the admiral portrait or soemthing like that?

No, the portrait is attached to the ship he is in.

my personal favorite ships are Razees. Very balanced, excellent mobility, considering its hull strength and firepower. The reason why i like big ships so much is that they can simply take out a 38 gun frigate with 1 broadside, and you can put your admiral in the middle of the action in a ship where he is safe, and near the other ships, to increase morale.