Santisima Trinidad began as an exceptionally large Spanish first rate, described as a 112-gun design and completed as a 116-gun three-decker in 1769. When France produced 120-gun ships, Spain joined her forecastle and quarterdeck to create a fourth gun deck. The conversion was intended for 136 guns and then reduced to about 130 in practice, though the hull had piercings and spacing for as many as 140. Her capture at Trafalgar ended with the ship being scuttled the following day.
Chapter · 41:29-45:04
Santisima Trinidad and the pursuit of maximum firepower
The Spanish first rate grew from a three-deck 112 or 116-gun ship into a four-deck vessel that normally carried about 130 guns.