Usmc1855 posted a nice link with the different ship classes (thx):

The ships-of-the-line:

1st Rate - Ships with over 90 guns
Three-deckers, main fleet flagships
2nd Rate - Ships with over 80 guns Three-deckers
3rd Rate - Ships with over 54 guns Two-deckers, the mainstay of battle fleets

The following classes were considered too "weak" to participate in the battle-lines:

4th Rate - Ships with over 38 guns
One-decker frigates, which were developed to a multitude of tasks, to reconnoiter ahead of the main fleet and deliver despatches to and from the fleet leadership, to convoy duty and to privateering.
5th Rate - Ships with over 18 guns
like corvettes, which could also be rowed
6th Rate - Ships with over 6 guns
Small auxiliary and courier vessels for the fleet



I want to use this information for another poll.

So what is your favourite ship to command?