Frigate

A class of warship, which may refer to a range of sizes and naval roles. Generally speaking, larger than a sloop or corvette, and smaller than a ship-of-the-line or galleon.
Operated in large numbers by the navies of The Kingdom of Vallanna and The Kingdom of Ashalla, and designed for speed and manoeverability, while still carrying a significant number of cannons and sailors, the Frigate-class vessels tend to fall into the two smallest catagories of the Naval Rating-system, dependent on their crew complement and size. Frigates are the smallest type of warship to be commanded by an officer of full Captain rank.
Sixth-rate frigates, the smaller of the designations, are typically a single-deck ship, square-rigged, with around 28 nine-pounder guns, and a crew of between 140 and 200 men, including 24 marines. The speed and size of these smaller frigates make them ideal for combatting privateers in smaller brigs and sloops, and protecting the vital shipping lanes of The Kingdom of Vallanna and The Kingdom of Ashalla.
The larger Fifth-rate frigates, typically have two decks, and also square-rigged, usually three-masted vessels, equipped with around 40 nine-pounder guns, and a crew complement of between 200 and 250 men. Like the smaller sixth-rate, they are used for pursuit, convoy protection, commerce raiding and reconnaissance work.

Propulsion

Frigates are full, square-rigged ships, typically triple-masted, propelled by the wind.

Weapons & Armament

Fifth-rate frigates are armed with between 38 and 44 cannons, while the smaller sixth-rate frigates carry between 24 and 30 cannons.

Armor and defense

Each frigate will carry a complement of marines, charged with both defending the ship in case of a boarding action, carrying out boarding actions of their own, and conducting security duties for any shore parties. Typically, during such a defensive boarding action, regular sailors will also take up arms in defense of the ship, if they are able.

Beam

21 - 40ft

Length

90 - 150ft (Upper deck) 71 -125ft (Keel)

Complement / Crew

140 - 250