first-rates

I think in my heart I am fonder of pretty third-rate pictures than of your great thundering first-rates.

The Paris Sketch Book 2006

"But Collingwood," says he, "disdaining the parade of taking possession of beaten enemies, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to save his old friend and messmate, who was to appearance in a critical situation;" for the CAPTAIN was at this time actually fired upon by three first-rates -- by the SAN NICOLAS, and by a seventy-four, within about pistol-shot of that vessel.

The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson Southey, Robert, 1774-1843 1993

The largest are termed ships of the line, from their forming the line of battle when acting together in fleets; and are divided into first-rates, second-rates, third-rates, &c.

The Illustrated London Reading Book Various

Two first-rates, and a seventy-four, are with him; but the larger the ships, the better the mark.

The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 1 James Harrison

Yet he is a man of far better powers than either of the "first-rates," -- has more thought and equal energy, -- a mind seldom or never at rest, -- is one to make new combinations and follow them to results with an ardor almost enthusiastic.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 30, April, 1860 Various

Majesty's squadron nineteen ships of the line (of which two are first-rates, the Santissima Trinidad, and the Santa Anna), with three flag officers, viz. Admiral Villeneuve, the

Drake Nelson and Napoleon Runciman, Walter 1919

Apprehensive lest the enemy might be enabled to escape without fighting, he did not hesitate to disobey signals, and executed a manoeuvre which brought the Captain into close action at once with three first-rates, an eighty, and two seventy-four gun ships.

Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 2 of 8 A series of pen and pencil sketches of the lives of more than 200 of the most prominent personages in History 1906

“Two are first-rates,” said he, “but the larger the ships the better the mark, and who will not fight for dollars?”

The Life of Nelson Mahan, A. T. 1897

Why, in that very bay down there two o 'King Philip's first-rates foundered wi' all hands in the days o 'the Spanish war.

The Mystery of Cloomber Arthur Conan Doyle 1894

A magnificent squadron of British first-rates was despatched to the Black Sea with the avowed object of destroying the Russian Fleet, which had characteristically annihilated the Turkish Fleet in the harbour of Sinope.

Sketches From My Life Pasha, Hobart 1887