The phrase third rate can suggest poor quality to a modern reader, although the historical warship category described a standard fighting ship. A third rate could be competently built and equipped without matching the largest and most expensive first rates. Drachinifel illustrates that distinction with 35,000-ton treaty battleships compared with larger Iowa- or Vanguard-type ships. The comparison is an analogy between capability tiers, rather than a claim that the rating system applied literally to those battleships. Alex Clarke connects the misunderstanding to the expectation that a modern frigate should combine every specialized variant's capabilities.
Notable Point · 1:21:47-1:23:20
Third-rate does not mean badly built
Age-of-sail ratings explain why a fleet needs well-built standard combatants and escorts as well as its most expensive first-rate ships.