Smaller and faster than ships of the line (the principal vessels of naval warfare), frigates served as scouts or as escorts protecting merchant convoys; they also cruised the seas as merchant raiders themselves.

A frigate (/ ˈ f r ɪ ɡ ɪ t /) is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied. The name frigate in the 17th to early 18th centuries was given to any full-rigged ship built for speed and maneuverability, intended to be used in scouting, escort and patrol roles. The term was ...

A frigate was a three-masted, fully rigged vessel, with its armament carried on a single gun deck and with additional guns on the poop and forecastle. The number of guns varied between 24 and 56, but 30 to 40 guns were common.

Frigates were ever on the watch in the Straits to chase any French vessels that left port. He was preparing to board, the frigates at the time running ten knots, when the French ship …

Frigates were ever on the watch in the Straits to chase any French vessels that left port. He was preparing to board, the frigates at the time running ten knots, when the French ship …

Define frigate. frigate synonyms, frigate pronunciation, frigate translation, English dictionary definition of frigate. n. 1. A warship that is smaller than a destroyer and used primarily for escort duty. 2. A high-speed, medium-sized sailing war vessel of the 1600s, 1700s,...

Applied to a vessel of larger size. A war-vessel. In the Royal Navy, formerly a vessel of the… 3. A large swift-flying raptorial bird (Fregata aquila or… 1. A light and swift vessel, originally built for rowing, afterwards for sailing. Obsolete exc. poetic. With a frigat to accompany us and to bring backe newes from us.