Rating:
4th Ragte
Armament:
At least: 46 Guns
Max.: 60 Guns
Gundecks:
2
Desing:
50 Guns
Lower Gundeck:
22 x 24-Pounders
Upper Gundeck:
22 x 12-Pounders
Back/Achterdeck:
02 / 04 x 06-Pounders
Complement:
350
Design:
60 Guns 1)
Lower Gundeck:
24 x 24-Pounders
Upper Gundeck:
26 x 12-Pounders
Forecastle/Quaterdeck:
02 / 08 x 06-Pounders
Complement:
420
Einsatz:
Originally battle line, later heavy escort and patrol service 2)
1) I mention this variation only for the sake of completeness. It no longer had any significance in the second half of the 18th century. They were too close to the third-rate ships with 64 guns, which were armed with the same calibre.
2) Despite being more robustly constructed and better armed than the 44-gun fifth-rate ships, even the fourth-rate ships of the second half of the 18th century no longer met the requirements of the battle line. The new design with 74 guns, with 32-pounders in the lower battery and 18-pounders in the upper battery, also had significantly higher firepower in terms of quality.
Thus, the 50 guns took over the role of the 44 gun in heavy escort and patrol duty.
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