The Frigates

A frigate (/ˈfrɪɡət/) is a type of warship, having various sizes and roles over time.

In the 17th century, a frigate was any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being “frigate-built”. These could be warships carrying their principal batteries of carriage-mounted guns on a single deck or on two decks (with further smaller carriage-mounted guns usually carried on the forecastle and quarterdeck of the vessel). The term was generally used for ships too small to stand in the line of battle, although early line-of-battle ships were frequently referred to as frigates when they were built for speed.

Credit to : WAR – HISTORY – DOCUMENTARIES