Ship Of The Line (Noun)
Meaning
A warship intended for combat.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The ship of the line was the dominant warship of the Age of Sail, with its combination of firepower, range, and maneuverability.
- The HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, was a classic example of a ship of the line, with over 100 guns and a long, narrow hull.
- Ships of the line were typically arranged in a line of battle, advancing in formation and exchanging broadsides with the enemy.
- As the primary warship of the major navies, the ship of the line played a crucial role in battles such as Trafalgar and the Battle of the Nile.
- By the mid-19th century, the development of steam power and ironclad warships marked the beginning of the end for the traditional ship of the line.