Fairfax was constructed between March and September 1653 by shipwright John Taylor of Chatham, at a total cost of £7,065.

Under Blagg's renewed command Fairfax played an active role in the Battle of Santa Cruz on 20 April 1657.

Blagg was replaced in 1658 by Captain Thomas Whetstone, with Fairfax assigned to the Commonwealth squadron stationed in the Mediterranean.

[3] The English monarchy was restored to power in 1660, and Fairfax was promptly commissioned into the Royal Navy under a new commander, Captain Thomas Tiddeman.

[3] In 1673, after thirteen years of Royal Navy service, Fairfax struck a sandbank off the English coast.