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In the British Royal Navy, a fifth-rate was a sailing frigate mounting 32 to 40 guns on a single deck. Fifth-rate ships acted as fast scouts or independent cruisers and included of variety of gun arrangements from 32 12 pounders to 36, 38 or even 40 18 pound guns. Tonnage ranged from 700 to 1450 tons, with crews of 215 to 294 men. To be posted aboard a Fifth-rate ship was considered an attractive assignment, for fifth raters were often assigned to interdict enemy shipping -- meaning the prospect of prize money for the crew. Fifth rate frigates were considered useful for their combination of maneuverability and firepower, which, in theory, would allow them to out maneuver an enemy of greater force and run down an any lesser force. It was for this reason that frigates of this sort were commonly used in patrol and to disrupt enemy shipping lanes.
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