The Speedy class was designed in 1781 by the shipbuilder Thomas King, of Dover, a specialist builder of such craft.

They were designed with a cutter-type hull, and anticipated the development of a new concept of the brig in naval warfare, that of small, fast escort vessels, instead of the slower but more seaworthy ship-sloops.

[1] Armed with fourteen 4-pounders, giving a broadside weight of 28 pounds, and twelve 1⁄2-pdr swivel guns, they had a crew of 70.

[2] Both ships were completed too late to see any significant service in the American War of Independence, and spent most of the years of peace in British waters.

[1] Speedy was still in service on the outbreak of war with revolutionary France and was assigned to the Mediterranean, where she served under a number of distinguished commanders.