Sailing frigate
Fragata de vela
- Date
- c. 1640-1650 · confidence medium
- Place
- Dunkirk, France (then Spanish Flanders)
- Credited to
- Corsairs of Dunkirk; adopted by the Royal Navy (Constant Warwick, 1646)
- Field
- Movement
What it is
A fast, light warship with a single gun deck, designed for privateering, escort duty and exploration. It combined speed and endurance for oceanic patrol.
What it led to
- Privateering warfare and trade in the Channel and the Caribbean
- Cruiser doctrine and convoy escort
- Naval projection by the Atlantic powers in the 18th century
Built on
- Galleonc. 1530-1550
- Pinnace
Made possible
- Classic 1750 frigate (rated by guns)
- Modern cruiser