Java-class frigate (1813)

Under the Jefferson Administration in the early 1800s, the US Navy was invisoned as a militia-based force that operated small, ad-hoc gunboats. Congress opposed expanding the Navy, which left the nation unable to defend itself at sea. It reversed course following the outbreak of the War of 1812, and ordered 6 frigates in 1813, which made them the first purpose-built vessels for the Navy since 1800. The new frigates were greatly modeled after the earlier original six frigates, with characteristics similar to those of the 44-gun variant. The ships were armed with a total of 45 guns, displaced , were long between perpendiculars, long at the waterline, had a beam of , a depth of , and were manned by a crew of 400. == History ==

Although six ships were ordered, only three were laid down, all in 1813. Of the three, Columbia and Continental were renamed after prizes captured from the Royal Navy while they were still in the shipyard. After the American defeat at Battle of Bladensburg, the newly renamed and nearly completed Essex was burned to prevent her from falling into British hands. == Ships in class ==

Below are characteristics of every named ship of the class, which is also referred to as the Guerriere-class. == References ==