The second rate sat awkwardly between the efficient two-deck 74 and the prestige and firepower of a first rate. Its third gun deck demanded more timber, structural complexity, dockyard capacity, and crew than a third rate. A compact three-decker could also be difficult to sail, even though the best captains were required for first rates as well. Height gave the second rate a close-action advantage over two-deck opponents and the ability to absorb punishment like a larger ship. The savings over a first rate were real but often too small to make the choice compelling. The Royal Navy eventually reduced later second rates to two decks, leaving first rates as the ships with three complete gun decks.
Notable Point · 1:17:31-1:20:58
The three-decker tradeoffs of a second rate
A second rate retained a three-decker's close-action height but approached first-rate cost, facilities, crew demand, and sailing difficulty.