Rating System of The Royal Navy - Other Uses

Other Uses

The term first-rate has passed into general usage, as an adjective used to mean something of the best or highest quality available. Second-rate and third-rate are also used as adjectives to mean that something is of inferior quality. This is ironic as the third rates formed the vast majority of the battlefleet, as the three-decker first rates and second rates were too expensive to use as much more than a flagship for the Admiral commanding a fleet; while less powerful than the three-deckers, the third rate, was the essential element of the fighting fleet.