Ship of the line
In the age of sail (up to the late 19th century), a ship of the line was a warship powerful enough to take a place in the line of battle. (The term "battleship" has a similar etymology.) Generally, this meant a third-rate or larger ship, with guns on two or more decks. Rated ships smaller than this were frigates, and carried all their guns on a single upper deck.
Rate |
Guns |
Men |
|---|---|---|
100 or more |
850 to 875 |
|
90 to 98 |
700 to 750 |
|
64 to 80 |
500 to 650 |
|
50 to 60 |
320 to 420 |
|
5th Rate |
32 to 40 |
200 to 300 |
6th Rate |
20 to 28 |
140 to 200 |
Sloops |
16 to 18 |
90 to 125 |
Gun-Brigs |
6 to 14 |
5 to 25 |
The number of crew on a first rate was increased by 25 when used as an Admiral's flagship, by 20 with a Vice Admiral and 15 with a Rear Admiral.
Originally from http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/gen1.htm, with the author's permission.
Isaac Asimov adapted the term "Ship of the Line" to apply to the armed spaceships which served a similar role to the old naval vessels for the Galactic Empire of his Foundation trilogy, as mainstays of the space fleet.