This is the final major step in warship development in my some what jagged run through of ship styles, classes. In reality there are 50 or more different types of sailing vessels. Some were replaced by other and some are still in use today. Some never made it to the open ocean while others spent their lives on the high seas. But enough with the superlatives, lets get on to the ship of the line.

The ship of the line is called the first battleship. If you remember back when I covered current ship classes, the battleship post starts with the ship of the line. The ship of the line has its origins with the Great ships being constructed by England in the 15th and 16th centuries. Great ships are part of the rating system which England used to list her ships. The Mary Rose is one of said Great Ships. Great ships were actually large carracks and not a true ship of the line.

For a ship to be called a ship of the line it should mount more than 54 guns on two gun decks. In the Royal Navy this ship would be considered a third rate. First, second, and third rate ships were all considered to be ships of the line in the Royal Navy. Then by default almost every other navy around the world followed the same model. The smaller ships would be used as cruisers or frigates.

The term ship of the line is more of a reflection on battle tactics than a representation of the ship itself. The came about since naval battle at the time consisted of two lines of ships sailing next to one another and firing at one another. Ships that took part in this style of battle were required to be strong in both construction and armament.

Even though the British are mostly connected with the ship of the line, the most popular design for a ship of the line is given to the French, the 74. A 74 mounted 74 cannon, hence the name. More 74’s were produced than any other style of ship of the line. The ship of the line was the battleship of its day. They were large, fast, and powerful. They needed many men to make them effective fighting machines and consumed large portions of natural resources to build them.

Just like every other ship mentioned before the ship of the line was replaced. However, it would not be replaced by a larger better suited ship design. It was instead replaced by a method of propulsion, the steam engine.