Quote Originally Posted by CBR View Post
Yes in bad weather the lowest gundeck could not be used. But the big SOL's still had 24 pounders on the deck above and the smaller 74's had 18 pounders. A heavy frigate or razee were still lighter ships with thinner hull so even if it could use heavier guns the actual difference in fighting power would be less than if just comparing 24 versus 18 pounders.


CBR

As to hull thickness you could be right. I did find it interesting that the Heavy Frigates carried about the same number of 24#s as the First Rates.

As I said earlier I intend it as a tactical experiment. Seldom did two Heavy Frigates work together. I would just love to see what a squadron of them could do.