Thanks Charlie, further investigation says that Frigates were ships built as pursuit/scout/light engagment vessals. Also They carried between 32 and 40 guns on a single designated gun deck with a separate deck overhead. They also carried as many swivel guns and carronades as they wished. American Frigates were larger than British Frigates and carried more large guns.

Using this information it is easy to see how the Surprize could be considered a Frigate as could Archeron.

Neat stuff, thanks again and see the film in a theatre if you can..

Don