Why did President Jefferson oppose building large seagoing ships?

President Jefferson opposed building large seagoing ships primarily because he believed that the navy should focus on coastal defense rather than establishing a powerful blue-water navy intended for global military engagements. This perspective reflected his vision of a limited federal government and a strong emphasis on the protection of American interests along its coastlines, rather than projecting naval power abroad. Jefferson's views were aligned with the ideas of maintaining a smaller, more efficient military that could adequately defend the nation without overextending its resources or commitments. This approach emphasized the importance of smaller vessels that could effectively serve in coastal waters while being more cost-effective and easier to manage than large ships designed for long-range operations.