This is in Napoleonic times, where naval warfare relied on broadsides of cannons. Stability is a far more important factor here. Also note that 4-decker ships,

This is in Napoleonic times, where naval warfare relied on broadsides of cannons. Stability is a far more important factor here. Also note that 4-decker ships, with a nominal advantage in firepower, were employed by the Spanish but eschewed by the Royal Navy for the same reason.