HMS Trincomalee is a frigate built in 1817 for the Royal Navy. Along with HMS Unicorn, USS Constellation and USS Constitution, it is the only remaining frigate from the era of sailing warships and the oldest still floating ship in Great Britain.
The Trincomalee is one of the frigates of the successful and numerous British Leda class, including HMS Shannon and HMS Unicorn. The class was built according to the lines of the French Hebé, which fell into British hands as a pinch in 1782. The Trincomelee was one of 15 of the original Leda class models. By 1832, another 25 ships with stern were launched. The latter variant includes Unicorn.
The Trincomalee is 150 feet long, 40 wide and was originally classified as a 46-cannon frigate. There were 28 18-pound cannons on the battery deck, 16 32-pound carronades on back and aft deck and 4 9-pound cannons (a total of 48, two more guns than according to the nominal classification).
Meg's Mumbles 