How many guns would a typical third-rate ship of the line have?

A typical third-rate ship of the line during the age of sail would generally carry between 64 to 80 guns. These ships were designed to balance firepower and maneuverability, making them well-suited for fleet actions and blockades. The number of guns on such vessels allowed them to engage effectively in naval battles while also maintaining a reasonable crew size and structural integrity.

Third-rate ships were considered the backbone of a naval fleet, offering a solid combination of offensive capability and tactical versatility. The range of 64 to 80 guns indicates that they were heavily armed, enabling them to take part in significant naval engagements while also being less costly to build and maintain than their first-rate counterparts, which typically carried over a hundred guns.

This range represents the practical application of naval engineering and military strategy during that era, reflecting the evolving needs of navies to develop ships that could withstand and dominate in maritime conflicts.