The Probert Encyclopaedia of Ships

CORVETTE

Originally a corvette was a vessel of war, ship-rigged, having a flush deck, with no quarter-deck and only one tier of guns; but the term had been superseded by the term cruiser by about 1900. In the British navy there was a class of corvettes built of iron or steel, swift vessels, propelled by steam as well as by a large spread of canvas, and carrying heavy guns.

Since the early 20th century the term corvette has been applied to a convoy escort and patrol warship.
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