Frigate
During the age of sail, a frigate was a fast, medium warship with 24-60 cannons used by all European navies from the mid 17th to the end of the age of sail in the 19th century. It derived from the North African âfregattaâ a small oared sailing ship.
In their hey-day they were the eyes of the battle fleets, acting as despatch vessels, passing on flagged orders during battle, and either "finishing off" or towing away as prizes stricken enemy ships. They also undertook anti-pirate ( and later, anti-slaving) duties and âshowing the flagâ diplomacy where the use of a full ship of the line was deemed unnecessary.
The young United States built a number of frigates that were the equal or better than any in commission at the time. The most famous of these, and one still afloat, is the âUSS Constitutionâ
Today, it is British warship between a corvette and a destroyer.
Since 1975 it has also been a warship smaller than a destroyer, used for escort duty. In the United States Navy frigates have received the hull designations of FF (frigate), FFG (Fast Frigate with Guided Missiles) and DE (Destroyer Escort).