Changes

From the middle of the 18th century, warships of the era were “rated” according to the number of guns – from 1 to 6. About 1800, a “''first-rater''” carried over 100 guns, employed between 850 and 900 crew and had a displacement weight of over 2000 tons. ([[Horatio Nelson|Nelson]]’s “''Victory''” (103 guns) is the most famous of this class.) A “''second-rater''” carried 84 to 90 and a “''third-rater''” 64 to 80. The smaller classes rated the [[frigate]]s  and other support vessels that were considered not powerful enough to be in the line of battle. (Attempts were made to design a large 60 gun frigate for this use, but whilst effective in smaller fleet actions they failed in major engagements.) In 1810, 110 guns became the lower limit for a “''first-rater''”.

From the middle of the 18th century, warships of the era were “rated” according to the number of guns – from 1 to 6. About 1800, a “''first-rater''” carried over 100 guns, employed between 850 and 900 crew and had a displacement weight of over 2000 tons. ([[Horatio Nelson|Nelson]]’s “''Victory''” (103 guns) is the most famous of this class.) A “''second-rater''” carried 84 to 90 and a “''third-rater''” 64 to 80. The smaller classes rated the [[frigate]]s  and other support vessels that were considered not powerful enough to be in the line of battle. (Attempts were made to design a large 60 gun frigate for this use, but whilst effective in smaller fleet actions they failed in major engagements.) In 1810, 110 guns became the lower limit for a “''first-rater''”.

[[Image:Shipline3.jpg|thumb|360px|left|closeup stern view of ''Royal Louis'' (1780) (this is a model)]]  

[[Image:Shipline3.jpg|thumb|360px|left|Closeup stern view of a model of the ''Royal Louis'' (1780)]]  

These vessels – the so-called “''wooden walls''” - defended Britain during the various wars of the 18th and early 19th centuries, and on two occasions saved the country from imminent invasion. (See [[Battle of Quiberon Bay]] (1759) and [[Trafalgar]] (1805).) Whilst it was generally considered that French ships were superior, British discipline, resulting in a greater rate of fire, and seamanship led to very few defeats in major naval engagements during this period.

These vessels – the so-called “''wooden walls''” - defended Britain during the various wars of the 18th and early 19th centuries, and on two occasions saved the country from imminent invasion. (See [[Battle of Quiberon Bay]] (1759) and [[Trafalgar]] (1805).) Whilst it was generally considered that French ships were superior, British discipline, resulting in a greater rate of fire, and seamanship led to very few defeats in major naval engagements during this period.