Indefatigable
Midshipman

Is this an attempt by the yanks/germans to undermine the glory days of the Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars by stating that the French ships were inferior to the British?
British vs. French Shipbuilding
Most of my books say the exact opposite:
Britain produced no leading maritime architect during the 18thC, and most frigates were built on the lines of captured French vessels, which were always superior in size and speed to their British counterparts.
Quote:
In 1782 the Rainbow captured the Hebe, 1063 tons, 40 guns, and from her were built the earlier 36 and 38 gun frigates, 18 pounders. In April 1794 a frigate squadron under Sir John Borlase Warren captured the Pomone, 44 guns, 1239 tons, and she became the prototype for all the later heavy frigates...
When the Pomone was examined, it was realised that she had only been taken by the excellent handling of the British squadron, and that there was no frigate in the Royal Navy that could match her single-handed.
- The Frigates, Wordsworth Military Library
Who is right?
-Indie
British vs. French Shipbuilding
Most of my books say the exact opposite:
Britain produced no leading maritime architect during the 18thC, and most frigates were built on the lines of captured French vessels, which were always superior in size and speed to their British counterparts.
Quote:
In 1782 the Rainbow captured the Hebe, 1063 tons, 40 guns, and from her were built the earlier 36 and 38 gun frigates, 18 pounders. In April 1794 a frigate squadron under Sir John Borlase Warren captured the Pomone, 44 guns, 1239 tons, and she became the prototype for all the later heavy frigates...
When the Pomone was examined, it was realised that she had only been taken by the excellent handling of the British squadron, and that there was no frigate in the Royal Navy that could match her single-handed.
- The Frigates, Wordsworth Military Library
Who is right?
-Indie