The 1689 Programme of fifth rates were devised by Admiral the Earl of Torrington (Arthur Herbert) as the prototype demi-batterie ships of the Royal Navy.

The concept was to have one tier of ordnance flush on the upper deck for use in all weathers on a freeboard of at least seven feet.

The ordnance would be arranged with a minimum of ten gun ports on the upper deck.

The lower deck would be provided with four ports for heavier guns that could only be used in calm weather.

The gundeck was 105 feet (32 metres) with a keel length of 92 ft (28 m) for tonnage calculation.