How frigates joined an age-of-sail fleet battle

Did the fifth-rate frigates form their own line during the battle?

No; they usually operated independently and entered during the melee, though some powerful frigates could reinforce the main line.

A viewer asks whether fifth-rate frigates formed a separate battle line. They normally remained independent while the heavier ships exchanged fire in ordered lines. Once formations broke down into a general melee, the frigates could move in against their opposite numbers or exploit local opportunities. In the 1781 order of battle, unusually powerful frigates were also added to the main line to balance specific opponents. Tactical employment depended on both rating and the immediate needs of the fleet.