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.jpg) HMS Alarm in 1758
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Niger class |
| Built | 1757–1766 |
| In commission | 1759–1814 |
| Completed | 11 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Frigate |
| Tons burthen | 67967⁄94 (as designed) |
| Length | 125 ft (38 m) |
| Beam | 35 ft 2 in (11 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft (4 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 220 |
| Armament |
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The Niger-class frigates were 32-gun sailing frigates of the fifth rate produced for the Royal Navy. They were designed in 1757 by Sir Thomas Slade, and were an improvement on his 1756 design for the 32-gun Southampton-class frigates.
Slade's design was approved in September 1757, on which date four ships were approved to be built to these plans - three by contract and a fourth in a royal dockyard. Seven more ships were ordered to the same design between 1759 and 1762 - three more to be built by contract and four in royal dockyards. Stag and Quebec were both reduced to 28-gun sixth rates in 1778, but were then restored to 32-gun fifth rates in 1779.