Removing a deck in 1836 reduced Independence to a 54-gun razee and created one of the US Navy's fastest and most powerful frigates. A razee retains the expensive hull strength and sailing qualities of a ship of the line in a lower, handier cruising form. That performance explains the appeal of conversion, but also why navies did it sparingly: they sacrificed a costly battle-fleet unit. Independence left the line just as Pennsylvania entered service, keeping the United States near a ceiling of only seven or eight ships of the line. The decision favored an excellent distant-station flagship over already scarce line-of-battle strength.
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Razeed into one of the US Navy's best frigates
Removing one deck in 1836 produced a fast, powerful 54-gun frigate but cost the navy one of its very few ships of the line.