Historical Background
The early ranking system of the English Royal Navy had only 4 rank classifications. In the early 1600s, the 4th rate classification was split into 4th, 5th, and 6th rate frigates. The 5th rate applied to those vessels with a tonnage range of 700-1450 and crews of 200-300 men. Their armaments ranged from 26 to 40 guns spread across one or two gundecks.
Because many of the ships were built so low and narrow for speed, their low freeboard made them susceptible to flooding on their lower gundecks and many had difficulty bringing all of their guns to bear in rough seas. Evolving in the 18th century, few newer ships fielded guns on their lowest deck most moved them to the upper deck, forecastle, and quarter decks.
5th rate frigates served a variety of roles from scouts, to independent cruisers to interdictors sent to disrupt enemy supply lines and merchant trade. Considered coveted posts for an average naval sailor, they offered shares in the capturing spoils of the enemy essentially granting them rewards for “legal piracy.”
Popular among both the British and French royal navies, they were often captured and used against their former owners only to be captured again. The more successful designs of the French were adapted and implemented by British shipwrights in new construction. The Dutch often produced duplicates of the design for maximum efficiency in construction.
5th Rate Frigate Ship Analysis
| Attribute | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maneuverability | 50% | ||||
| Speed | 83% | ||||
| Durability | 57% | ||||
| Firepower | 54% | ||||
| Brawling | 50% |
5th Rate Frigate Overview & Tactics
A 5th Rate is essentially a 6th Rate that adds +1 Broadside and the High Freeboard ability for 3 points, which is a bargain considering Additional Guns on a 6th Rate is 2 points. Costing only 16 points it is one of the best gunship options in a 50 pt game.
As the ship is built for boarding, taking Boarding Party, Buccaneers, Corsairs, Marines or Swashbucklers gives it a bonus to Close Combat. Taking Kapers is another good option to keep Fatigue low. If you prefer to fight at range and avoid boarding, Merchants is a good upgrade to help repel would-be boarders.
Pros
- Fast and maneuverable, especially for its size.
- Good for boarding as it is Fast and High Freeboard protects the crew as you close.
- They have enough firepower to take on Ships of the Line, especially with Additional Guns or other upgrades.
Cons
- The ship is still slightly fragile, particularly against larger Ships of the Line
Product Referral Links
- This ship is available in the Men of War expansion pack for Oak & Iron