One reference claimed that the United States built fifteen ships of the line, while a vessel-by-vessel count produced nine completed for American service. Including the Great Frigates would not repair the total because they were not ships of the line. The same source attributed the end of new construction to steam making the type useless. Early steam battleships included converted ships of the line, so propulsion did not create such a simple categorical break. The conflicting claims show why definitions, totals, and technological transitions need checking against the underlying ships.
Notable Point · 58:02-59:19
Ship counts and steam claims need source criticism
Conflicting totals for American ships of the line and a false break between sail and steam show why apparently authoritative reference pages need checking.