Sloop

Sloop is a one-masted cutter-rigged vessel, differing from a Cutter (q.v.), according to old authorities, in having a fixed bowsprit and somewhat smaller sails in proportion to the hull. The terms 'sloop' and 'cutter' appear, however, to be used nearly indiscriminately. In the British navy a sloop-of-war was a vessel, of whatever rig, between a corvette and a gun-vessel, and ordinarily constituting the command of a commander. In the days of the sailing navy sloops-of-war carried from ten to eighteen guns; but since the introduction of steam the number of guns has ceased to be distinctive. Under the new classification of the navy, which was made in 1888, the term sloop-of-war has been modified, many modern vessels which formerly would have been designated as sloops being now known as third-class cruisers. The few sloops-of-war still found on the Navy List are all more or less obsolete, and it is doubtful if any more will be built.