American Frigates

[DeRuyter]

Worth noting that IIRC Chapelle says that was "the norm" but individual ships may have varied. My suggestion would be start with Chapelle as a base and then consult period paintings and text accounts of the specific ship in question. If the specific conflicts with the general, go with the specific.

Exactly so. I don't recall seeing a period painting with black lower masts for example. Of note the French practice was to change mast colours depending on where the ship was stationed. I think Dobbs is safe with the white masts and black spars! I also think that you began to see white stripes much earlier. Of course for the Constitution there is always the contemporary model made by the crew for Captain Hull:

https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/20.../a-model-ship/

White lower masts, green bulwarks and white stripe just as she is painted now.

[Bligh]

Thanks for drawing our attention to that article Eric. I for one found it most enlightening.
Rob.