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HMS Victory was a First Rate Ship-of-the-Line, the most powerful type of ship of her day. She had three gun decks mounting 100 guns. The Royal Navy had always built very large ships to fight major fleet battles. The French and Spanish navies did not tend to build First Rates until after the American War of Independence in 1783. Though launched in 1765 she was not commissioned until 1778. This long period of weathering meant her timbers were well seasoned and are a major reason for her long life. Though launched on 7th May 1765 HMS Victory, the ship was not commissioned until 1778. Over a period of 34 years, between 1778 and 1812, HMS Victory took part in five naval battles. Commissioned for service in the American War of Independence, Victory fought in the First and Second Battles of Ushant and the Battle of Cape Spartel. During the French Revolutionary War, she was Admiral Jervis’ flagship at the Battle of Cape St Vincent. In 1805 she achieved lasting fame as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Nelson in Britain's greatest naval victory, the defeat of the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar. In the Game H.M.S Victory is a potent force on the tabletop. Aside from a formidable array of weaponry and fantastic resilience, her inspiring presence confers a bonus to all nearby friendly ships when they are required to take a skill test. If Nelson is present, this bonus is augmented yet further!

A 3rd rate ship, as defined by the British rating system, was a ship of the line which mounted between 64-80 guns. Usually, this would mean two gun decks. Despite their relative size and power compared to larger 1st and 2nd rates, it was considered that 3rd rates maintained an effective, perhaps even superior balance between sailing ability, firepower and cost. For a number of nations, 3rd rates were the most popular ship size. Cheaper to operate and easier to sail without the sacrifice of offensive capability, the only ships a 3rd rate could not single-handedly engage were larger three-decked ships. A large number of 3rd rates were built and employed on a variety of missions. The Kit The 3rd Rates Squadron kit is generic, meaning you can use it to represent ships of any nation. The frame has options for you to customise your ships, in the form of differing figureheads and stern plates; enabling you to make your fleet truly unique. The 3rd Rates Squadron box contains all you need to get these vessels to the tabletop. These are suitable for navies of any nation. The kit includes a bobbin for rigging your vessels, sails and decals for every nation capable of building & sailing third rates, as well as all the gaming materials for using the vessels in your games of Black Seas.