How many American ships of the line?

Answer 1

The United States operated no ships of the line during the Revolution although one or two 74s or 3rd rates were under construction at the time. One was completed, the America, but it was given to France in recognition of her assistance to the U.S. during the revolution and because a French ship of the line was lost on the way back to France after Yorktown. During John Adams presidency, six 74s were authorized but none were laid down before Thomas Jefferson took office. Jefferson had no interest in a big seagoing navy for the U.S. It took the war of 1812 to convince the congress that the US needed at least a semblance of a battle fleet. 5 74s were began during the war (including 2 on Lake Erie) and two were basically complete by war's end but saw no action. The first 3 American ships of the line were considered failures because they carried their lower gun ports too close to the water so in combat they would only be able to function as big frigates. The first one, USS Independence was so bad that it had to have its lower gun ports caulked shut on its first Transatlantic crossing. Too many heavy guns and too little depth of hold (for buoyancy were the primary causes. 9 more were authorized by Congress in 1816 and 4 saw active service as ships of the line, although the Navy never operated more than two at a time during the 1820's through the 1840's. They were a big drain on manpower and larger numbers of smaller ships could accomplish the Navy's peacetime missions more efficiently. 2 were put into ordinary (reserve) immediately after completion or were converted to receiving ships (floating barracks) or storeships (floating warehouses). 2 on the east coast and 2 on lake Erie were never launched. The later U.S. ships of the line were much more successful designs. One of the 74s, the USS Ohio was considered one of the best of her type in the world. The U.S. built one first rate, the USS Pensylvania rated at 120 guns. She would have required a crew of over 1000 and was immediately put in reserve after just one short voyage.