The two ships differed in detail, Unicorn having a beakhead bow, a unicorn figurehead, two-light quarter galleries, and only five pairs of quarterdeck gunports, while Lyme had a round bow, a lion figurehead, three-light quarter galleries, and six pairs of quarterdeck gunports.

After repairs, she was recommissioned in January 1753 under Captain Matthew Buckle, and sailed for the Mediterranean again in April 1753.

Vestale, under the command of M. Boisbertelot, had been part of a squadron of five ships that had left the Vilaine river for Brest under the cover of a heavy fog.

Lieutenant John Symons, who took command of Unicorn on Hunt's death, described Vestal as having twenty-six 12 and 9-pounder guns on her lower deck, and four 6-pounders on her quarterdeck; she also had a crew of 220 men.

[1] After active and continuous service during the Seven Years' War, Unicorn finally paid off in late 1763, and was broken up in 1771.