Naval Campaign Movement

I came across these old notes I made during a Napoleonic Campaign I ran about 20 years ago, which quote the movement rates of various classes of naval vessel in difference weather and sea states. They are based upon the Navwar Naval Rules for the Napoleonic Wars 1793-1815, which in turn were based upon sources provided by the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and the Admiralty Library, London.

Light Breeze - wind abeam (reaching)
1st and 2nd Rates = 4.5 miles per hour
3rd Rates = 5 miles per hour
4th Rates = 5.6 miles per hour
5th and 6th Rates = 6.75 miles per hour
Brigs and Sloops = 5.6 miles per hour (e.g. a frigate can catch a sloop)
Smaller vessels (1-12 guns) = 3.4 miles per hour

Looking at the other extreme in a Gale - wind abeam (assuming reduce sail for safety)
1st and 2nd Rates = 6.75 miles per hour
3rd Rates = 6.75 miles per hour
4th Rates = 5.7 miles per hour
5th and 6th Rates = 5.7 miles per hour
Brigs and Sloops = 4.5 miles per hour
Smaller vessels = 2.25 miles per hour

So, if we assume these figures are based upon historical data, what this suggests is that in light winds lighter vessels with high sail area's are faster than heavy vessels, but in high winds and heavy sea's the heavier vessels make better headway despite (or perhaps because of the need to reduce sail) Indeed in a gale a 1st Rate could in theory catch a frigate. Whether it would be able to do anything once it caught it is another matter as the rules state that in gale force winds no firing is possible from any vessel.

The rules also table the difference in speed at various point of sail so for example the speed of a 5th or 6th Rate in a moderate breeze is quote as follows:

Wind abeam (Reaching) = 10 miles per hour
Wind Astern (Running) = 8.1 miles per hour
Beating to windward (Hauling) = 5.1 miles per hour
Drifting (Luffed or Dismasted) = 2 miles per hour (downwind only, unless in a strong tidal current)

The most interesting thing for me was that fact that Frigates should be able to catch sloops, presumably because of their large spread of canvas, in fact there isn't a single condition that gives the Brigs and sloops an advantage, other than the fact that they can sail slightly closer to the wind (e.g. 45 degree's rather than 56 degree's), and of course that heavier vessels gain a temporary speed advantage in gale force winds.

Sounds interesting. CA should have a look here

this is pretty well known...if you want a book that describes most of this look up the "Guide to Aubreys Navy" it is a book written as i guide to the aubrey books and although it is light on detail it covers a staggering array of issues and is easy to use. point two is in gale force winds a frigate ouldn't be outclassed much by a 3rd or even 2nd rate due to their gunports being lower the gundeck battery (32punders) is innoperable in anything resembling a heavy sea. also the above measurements are for wind abeam...a frigate however can sail closer to the wind due to lower superstructure meaning the hull itself doesn't push the ship away from he wind...and actions where undertaken durin gale force winds...see the Acttion of the 13 January 1797.