The 1650 Programme of six 510 ton Fourth Rate vessels was initiated by the Council of State on 16 November 1649.

On 2 January 1650 the Admiralty Committee confirmed that six 'frigrates' had been ordered at a cost of 6.10.0d per ton.

The ships were all named by 16 August 1650 and launched by the end of the year.

This would increase over time[1] The construction one vessels was assigned to Deptford dockyard with the remainder contracted to private builders.

The contract dimensional data was keel of 100 ft 0 in (30.48 m) breadth 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m) and a builder's measure tonnage of 511+16⁄94 tons at a contract price of 6.10.0d[Note 1] per ton.