This group of vessels were originally slated to be built to the Sampson designed steam vessel; however, the Admiralty on 9 May 1845, ordered the first pair (Conflict and Desperate) as First-Class screw sloops to be built from a design of Sir William Symonds, Surveyor of the Navy.

The second pair of vessels (Enchantress and Falcon) were ordered on 26 March 1846 but after their keels were laid at Pembroke Dockyard, their construction was suspended in September 1846 then cancelled five years later, on 4 April 1851.

[1] Conflict was the fourth named vessel since its introduction for a 12-gun gun brig launched by Dudman at Deptford on 17 April 1801 and wrecked on the French Coast on 24 October 1804.

[2] Enchantress was the second named vessel since it was introduced for a 14-gun sloop purchased in 1804, reduced to Harbour service in June 1813 and listed until August 1818.

[3] To facilitate the installation of the screw propeller, Conflict was towed to Wigram’s Yard, Blackwall to be lengthened in early 1848.

[3] The machinery was supplied by Maudslay, Sons & Field of Lambeth and Seaward & Capel of Millwall, London.

The Seaward horizontal single expansion (HSE) engine installed in Conflict had four cylinders of 45 inches in diameter with a 24-inch stroke.