HMS Dunwich was a member of the standardized 20-gun sixth rates built at the end of the 17th century.

After commissioning she spent her career mainly in Home Waters with forays to Morocco, North America and the Mediterranean.

[2] She was ordered in the Third Batch of two ships to be built under contract by William Collins & Robert Chatfield of Shoreham.

[3] Commissioned on 25 May 1696 under the command of Captain Nicholas Trevanion, RN she saw service in the Bristol Channel before being assigned to Norris's squadron off Newfoundland.

[5] In 1703 with Captain John Wooden, RN in command she was assigned to fisheries protection off the Sussex coast.