A first rate Royal Navy warship of Nelson's day mounted 100 or 90 guns and carried a complement of over 150 Royal Marines. This consisted of four officers; (Captain, 1st Lieutenant, two 2nd Lieutenants); six NCOs; (three Sergeants, three Corporals), two Drummers and the remainder were Privates. The Royal Marines acted as sharpshooters, sentries, boarding parties and gunners, along with deck and sailing duties, as ordered by the ship's captain. Royal Marines were often deployed as 'prize' crews to sail captured ships to British ports, or to garrison captured fortresses and islands until relieved by other troops. As a point of comparison, a 28 gun sixth rate warship of the same period carried a 1st Lieutenant, Sergeant, Corporal and 35 Privates.