What kind of steampunk warship would make sense in the 1750s?
Short answerA third-rate ship of the line with deliberately anachronistic paddle-wheel propulsion offers the most room for experimentation.
NotesThe 1750s are too early for practical steam propulsion, so the premise starts as an intentional anachronism. The chosen hull is a third-rate ship of the line because it offers the most room for experimenting with the design. Paddle wheels provide the steampunk propulsion. This is a conceptual design, with no claim that contemporary yards or engines could make it practical.