Wikipedia: Frigate/Talk

can someone add something to do with frigates before the modern US navy apparently invented them? not that there were warships before the 20th c. or anything

(originally on The Epopt homepage:)

Hi Epopt --

Sorry for ranting on your frigate page. i don't even know if you're American, but for the life of me I can't see why you started with current bloody American warships. Do you know how many times I have to excuse Americans for their insularity to my European friends? Sorry -- it's just that I kind of expected something about naval warfare when I read it -- and unfortunately, in my mind, the first thing I see is Trafalgar -- not big friggin' grey metal hulks. Did see a Trident once, though...VERY impressive. About two miles off, and the conn tower still looked enormous. Done ranting now, Sorry...but could you please round out your ship articles to reflect the bigger picture? JHK

Have a bloody blast! Not only is this, in theory, at least, a collaborative effort, but you're also not paying me enough to stay up late tonight to finish this article to your specifications.

Sorry Epopt --

If you've seen some of the crap I have to deal with, you'll understand the impatience, I hope. The articles are very good -- I just think they should have more info than the somewhat narrow definition you've provided (which is very well-written and informative). Just hoping you'll add to it later, since you obviously have more than a clue about this stuff. Again, my apologies. Shouldn't log on when worn to a frazzle fighting the unwinnable.

My apologizes for the snippy and boldface reply. I will expand this and the other ship-type pages over the next few days. But if you know something about the frigates of Trafalgar?, please add it! --The Epopt

: I wish I knew more -- used to be good on the Napoleonic wars. Now, I can't even remember if Nelson was on a Frigate or a ship of the line... :-( JHK

  HMS Victory is a ship of the line. - not a frigate

: See! I knew it was one or the other, but not sure enough! Thanks, rmherman!

HMS Victory was built in 1750's so it is older than the USF Constitution. And why is it USF not USS? --rmhermen

: Sure, it's older, but is it still under commission? And it's USF, "United States Frigate," because that's how it was designated "Back In The Day," and the Navy is rather tradition-bound, so they haven't changed it. :) -- EdwardOConnor

: Actually, let me partially take that back. It seems like it can be written USF or USS.

: According to the US Navy's Official site for Constitution, she is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. (See http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/shiphistoryx.htm) So I stand by my original statement.

The second oldest warship afloat is British. See http://www.hms.org.uk/bestlinks.htm

-From the page you mention: The official website of HMS VICTORY which is the oldest commissioned warship in the world, and is still manned by Officers and Ratings of the Royal Navy. She is now the flagship of the Second Sea Lord and Commander in Chief Naval Home Command.

So certainly still under commission and older than the Constitution. I don't know how the US Navy justifies its claim. --rmhermen

: But is she afloat? I thought Victory was in drydock. Constitution is in Boston Harbor.

- I think you've got it. Pretty strange to have a flagship in drydock but so it is. --rmhermen