Changes

'''Rates''' from 1 to 6 were a classification system for warships.

Warships were once classified with a '''rate''' between 1 and 6.

For the last 100 – 130 years of the age of sail nearly all the navies of the world adopted a ratings system for their ships. It was first brought in by the [[British]] First Lord of the Admiralty, Admiral Lord Anson during 1851 – 1856, however modern historians sometimes give a rating to ships before that date for ease of classification.

For the last 100 – 130 years of the Age of Sail nearly all the navies of the world adopted a ratings system for their ships. It was first introduced by the [[British]] First Lord of the Admiralty, Admiral Lord Anson during 1851 – 1856, however modern historians sometimes give a rating to ships before that date for ease of classification.

The first three rates covered the [[ship of the line|ships of the line]], those considered powerful enough to join the battle line in a major engagement. Fourth-raters were already becoming obsolete as a ship of the line when the system came in – they were useful however in shallower waters, and were considered a capital ship by some of the smaller navies. (The fledging USA commissioned large frigates of 44 or more guns for its first navy.)

The first three rates covered [[ship of the line|ships of the line]], which were those considered powerful enough to join the battle line in a major engagement. Fourth-raters were already becoming obsolete as ships of the line when the system was begun; they were useful in shallower waters, and were considered a capital ship by some of the smaller navies. (The fledging USA commissioned large frigates of 44 or more guns for its first navy.)

The lowest two rates were the frigates and other support vessels, however a 6th-rating was only given to a vessel commanded by a post-captain – those under commanders and lower were considered [[sloop]]s and did not receive a rating.  

Rates four and five were typically given to frigates and other support vessels, and a sixth rating was only given to a vessel commanded by a post-captain – those under commanders and lower were considered [[sloop|sloops]] and did not receive a rating.  

The following lists the rates as at 1800. Later the lower gun limits were raised for most classifications to reflect the generally larger ship sizes.

The following lists the rates as at 1800. Later the lower gun limits were raised for most classifications to reflect the generally larger ship sizes.