Noun
a warship intended for combat
Source: WordNetship-of-the-line
Armoured frigate From 1859, armour was added to ships based on existing frigate and ship of the line designs. Source: Internet
Half-hull of the 46-gun ship of the line Tigre, build from 1724 in Toulon after plans by Blaise Coulomb The hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Source: Internet
Toll (2006), p. 180. This act began the strong allegiance between Preble and the officers under his command, known as "Preble's boys", as he had shown that he was willing to defy a presumed ship of the line. Source: Internet
In the 18th century, the term referred to ships that were usually as long as a ship of the line and were square-rigged on all three masts ( full rigged ), but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort. Source: Internet
It is also possible for a sloop to be square rigged (having large square sails like a Napoleonic Wars -era ship of the line ). Source: Internet
The later 19th-century battleship thus developed from the frigate rather than from the ship of the line. Source: Internet