1750-1815: The Seven Years War, Revolution, and Napoleon
Warships of the period:
Warships of this period were categorized into rates, or designated as one of a number of types of smaller vessels. Ships at this time were undergoing a revolution, making ready for the final days of the sailing warship.
Man'o'Wars (first + second rates)
First rates were some of the the biggest wooden sailing ships ever created, being around 200 ft long, 120 cannon on three decks, and crews of about 850. Probably the most famous of these ships was that under the command of British naval hero, Lord-Admiral Horatio Nelson. Nelson's Victory, of about 108 cannon, flew his flag at the battle of Trafalgar and Sir John Jervis' flag at St. Vincent.
2nd rates had about 90 to 100 cannon, and were much similar to 1st rate ships. There were three gun decks, but the ship itself was slightly smaller than its first-rate cousin.
Ships of the Line (third + fourth rates)
Third rate ships were the standard fighting ships and there were more of these in the Napoleonic Royal Navy than any other large class of ship. A ship of the line ranged from 64 to 80 guns, but a standard ship of the line had about 74 guns, and crews of about 650. Ships of the line were the main warships used in conflicts and battles, and the backbone of the Royal Navy.
Frigates (fifth + sixth rates)
The 5th and 6th rates were reserved for frigates, which were never really used in any of the major battles of the time. These ships had between 50 and 28 guns and patrolled alone, or acted as scouts for the main fleet. Several frigate actions during the Napoleonic era have had an international impact, such as when the Constitution defeated the Guerierre during the War of 1812.
Ship-Sloops (unrated)
These ships were ship rigged and were used as small frigates. They had 24 guns or less. Such ships represented the ultimate warship on the lakes and rivers of North America, such as the Ontario on the Great Lakes.
Sloops (unrated)
Ship-sloops of the revolutionary era were like small, 24 gun frigates. They were very fast and consumed a great deal less crew than anything larger. They had one gun deck, and a hold. This eliminated the luxury of a closed deck for captains and crew, but did make them extremely cheap to build and operate. They acted on many duties: message relay, convoy protection, coastal protection, and patrolling.
Brigs and Schooners
These small ships were not of great importance, but defended local trade in areas like the Channel and coastal areas. They carried out many actions, but did not engage in major battles. Small battles between these small ships did occur in North America, but none of note. There were battles that they participated in, but usually larger ships like ship-sloops won the day.
Carronade Brig
The Bomb Ketch
Corvette
Goelette
Polacre
Snow
The Xebec
This ship was a fast, low-freeboard Mediterranean ship. It was used heavily by Islamic states and Christian powers in that particular sea. The Spanish, French, and even the English used them. The xebec was a three-masted ship with three lateen sails, one on each mast. The main mast carried the largest. The difference between a xebec and a pink was that the xebec had a hull shaped like a galley. It was long and thin, as the prow extended far forwards while the quarterdeck was greatly extended in the stern, far over the keel. This ship was strong enough to carry up to 22 guns, or on the smaller ones, about 6. The rig could also be alternated so that the main mast would carry two square sails. Other names for this ship were zebec and chebec.
Lugger
Merchant Ships
The largest of the merchant ships were the Eastindiamen. These ships not only carried valuable spices, but also the ordinance of a warship, sometimes as heavily armed as a frigate. There were some merchantment of various sizes, usually ship-rigged. Smaller mercant ships varied greatly. Such ships were involved in trading with small coastal ports or transportation. Others were involved in the assistance of other merchantile activities.
A Note on Colouring
In the beginning, ships of the line had no paint at all, except some of the frills and fancy artwork. This caused great confusion in battle, though, since one could not distinguish which ships were freind or foe. This caused friendly fire to hit allied ships. Eventually, each nation had its own colouring scheme:
England had a black hull, with a white or yellow stripe along the gun decks, and black gun ports. There were also white or yellow and black stripes on the masts. Spain had black stripes with red gun decks, and black gun ports. The United States used black with a white stripe on the gun deck and black gun ports. France and the lesser powers left their ships unpainted, because they preferred the traditional ways, and it was more cost effective. Sometimes merchant ships were painted in this manner to fool enemies, causing them to believe that it was a warship.
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