A ship could be frigate-built without being a true frigate. Frigates pushed that hull form toward speed and independent cruising. A fifth rate carried a full captain and could patrol alone, hunt convoys, or operate with similar ships, while third rates formed the battle fleet. In 1814 the Royal Navy had 134 fifth rates and 103 third rates in commission, compared with 360 unrated sloops of war, gun brigs, brigs, cutters, and schooners. The unrated vessels performed a wider mixture of lighter duties. Hull totals therefore conceal how the fleet distributed its offensive work.
Chapter · 0:30-4:15
Why the fifth rate was the classic frigate
The rating system placed the ocean-going frigate near its lower end, yet fifth rates carried much of a navy's independent offensive work.