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How were ships of the line different from frigates?

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USS Carl Vinson — warship USS *Carl Vinson*, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, in the Indian Ocean, 2005.

During the age of sail, ships of the line and frigates served distinct tactical roles within a naval ship fleet.

Ships of the Line

A ship of the line was a large, heavily armed warship designed to fight in a formal line of battle. These vessels typically featured at least two gun decks, providing the massive firepower necessary to engage other heavy warships in fleet-to-fleet combat.12

Frigates

In contrast, a frigate was a smaller, faster, and more maneuverable vessel. Unlike the ship of the line, a frigate carried its main armament on a single gun deck, with additional guns located on the forecastle and quarterdeck. Because they lacked the heavy firepower to stand against ships of the line in direct engagements, frigates were primarily utilized for:23
* Scouting and patrolling3
* Escorting merchant convoys23
* Commerce raiding and protecting against privateers23

While ships of the line formed the core of a fleet's strength, frigates acted as essential consorts, providing the speed and versatility required for independent operations.3