(Beaufort) Common Wind Force Scale (Year of 1807)
force 0 (calm)  
force 1 (light air) Just sufficient to give steergage way
force 2 (light breeze) With which a well-conditioned man- 1 - 2 kn.
force 3 (gentle breeze) of-war with all sail set, and clean 3 - 4 kn.
force 4 (moderate breeze) full would go in smooth water from 5 - 6 kn.
force 5 (fresh breeze) With which a Royals, etc.
force 6 (strong breeze) well-conditioned Single reefed top-sails & top-gallant sails
force 7 (moderate gale) man-of war Double reefed topsails, jib, etc.
force 8 (fresh gale) could just carry Treble reefed topsails, etc.
force 9 (strong gale) in chase, full & by Close-reefed topsails & courses
force 10 (whole gale) With which she could scarcely bear close-reefed main-topsail & reefed fore-sail
force 11 (storm) With which she would be reduced to storm staysails
force 12 (hurricane) To which she could show no canvas
   
1st rate (man-of-war) ship-of-war with 3 gun decks below the spar deck with/without guns
2nd rate (man-of-war) ship-of-war with 3 gun decks below the spar deck with/without guns
3rd rate (man-of-war) ship-of-war with 2 gun decks below the spar deck with/without guns
4th rate (man-of-war) ship-of-war with 2 gun decks below the spar deck with/without guns
5th rate (man-of-war) ship-of-war with 1 gun deck below the spar deck with/without guns (frigate)
6th rate (man-of-war) ship-of-war with 1 gun deck below the spar deck with/without guns (frigate)
sloop-of-war (3 masts) has 1 gun deck of 18 guns or less, below the spar deck with/without guns
brig (2 masts) has 1 gun deck of 22 guns or less, below the spar deck with/without guns
cutter (1 mast) no gun deck, but the spar deck has 16 guns or less
     
LEATHER SEALER'S OFFICE, Londonderry, Vt. April 8th 1826 Rory Ely Cole
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Copyright © MMII Rory Ely Cole