Frigate in a swell 17th century jigsaw puzzle

Frigate in a swell by Samuel Atkins (active 1787 1808) In the 18th century, a frigate was a three-masted, fully rigged sailing ship that was built for speed and maneuverability. Frigates were often armed with 30–40 guns and had crews of about 300 men. They were used as scouts, escorts, and merchant raiders. The first true frigate was the Medée, built in 1741. The Medée had two decks, but the upper deck was the main structural one. In 1797, the US Navy's first major ships were 44-gun frigates, which were exceptionally powerful and tough.