Before 1688 no sixth rate carried more than 20 guns. At the start of the Anglo-French War in 1688 the British captured four 20 plus gunned French vessels, that were rated by the French as sixth rates. The British Admiralty submitted a requirement to the Navy Board for a 'standard' sixth rate of 20 guns on the upper deck with four smaller guns on the quarterdeck. The vessel proposed by the Navy Board had an estimated cost of £1,676.10.0d per ship with another £2,513 for materials for completion. Initially fourteen ships were ordered, Batch 1 of four vessels in July 1693, Batch 2 of eight vessels in spring 1694, Batch 3 of two vessels in March 1695 with a further four in 1696. This first standardized group of sixth rates became known as the Maidstone Group.
The Nightingale sixth rates were basically repeats of the Maidstone Group. Initially two vessels were ordered, however with one lost within months of completion a third vessel was ordered. The main difference between these and the Maidstones was the slight deck over the upper deck to improve defensibility. Their armament was similar as were the dimensions of the vessels. They were constructed between 1702 and 1704.
The Flamborough sixth rates were basically repeats of the Maidstone Group and designed and built by Richard Stacey, Master Shipwright of Woolwich. Two vessels were ordered. Their armament was similar as were the dimensions of the vessels. They were constructed between 1706 and 1708.
The Gibraltar Group of sixth rates were basically repeats of the Maidstone Group. Ten ships were ordered with one of a slightly different design and another added in 1711, for a total of twelve vessels. Their armament was similar as were the dimensions of the vessels. They were constructed between 1710 and 1716.
The 1719 Establishment Group of sixth rates defined the 20-gun sixth rate using the Dursley Galley as a model. This design works and sailed well. Seventeen ships would be rebuilds of earlier vessels, some would be fifth rates, a couple of fireships and three vessels of new construction with the majority rebuilt from older sixth rate vessels. These ships would be constructed between 1722 and 1727.
The 1689 Programme of fifth rates were devised by Admiral the Earl of Torrington as the prototype demi-batterie ships of the Royal Navy. The concept was to have one tier of ordnance flush on the upper deck for use in all weathers on a freeboard of at least seven feet. The ordnance would be arranged with a minimum of ten gun ports on the upper deck. The lower deck would be provided with four ports for heavier guns that could only be used in calm weather. For added propulsion ten oar ports per side would be provided with a central loading port. Five new 32-gun vessels to these specifications were ordered from Naval Dockyards in June 1689.
The Modified 1719 Establishment Group of sixth rates were basically identical to the 1719 Establishment Group except the were two feet wider. One ship would be a rebuild of an earlier vessel and one vessel of new construction. These vessels like the 1719 Establishment Group would have no lower gun ports, however, would have ten oar ports per side on the lower deck. These ships would be constructed between 1729 and 1732.
The 1693 Programme of fifth rates were derived from the 1689 programme vessels as demi-batterie ships. The concept was to have one tier of ordnance flush on the upper deck for use in all weathers on a freeboard of at least seven feet. The ordnance would be arranged with a minimum of ten gun ports on the upper deck. The lower deck would be provided with four ports for heavier guns that could only be used in calm weather. For added propulsion ten oar ports per side would be provided with a central loading port. Four 32-gun vessels to these specifications were ordered in early 1693 with three to be built by Contract and one in dockyard.
The 1694 Programme of 32-gun fifth rates were derived from the 1693 programme vessels as demi-batterie ships. The concept was to have one tier of ordnance flush on the upper deck for use in all weathers on a freeboard of at least seven feet. The ordnance would be arranged with a minimum of eleven gun ports on the upper deck. The lower deck would be provided with four to eight gun ports for heavier guns that could only be used in calm weather. For added propulsion ten oar ports per side would be provided with a central loading port. Nineteen more 32-gun vessels to these specifications were ordered in from 1694 to 1698 with Thirteen to be built by Contract and nine in dockyard.
The 1646 Programme of Fourth Rate vessels were basically three individual ships built to differing dimensions. With Parliament approving the disposal of six elderly ships, instructions were issued for the speedy building of other vessels in their place. The main specification was to build vessels to carry 32 to 34 guns. Each vessel would have 11 pairs lower deck gun ports and five or six pairs on the quarterdeck. The vessels would actually have varying number of guns and the dimensional data would vary considerably. Three vessels were ordered in December 1645.
The 1647 Programme of four 370 ton fourth-rate vessels was approved by Parliament on 9 January 1647. The ships were to carry a minimum of 32 guns in peacetime and 38 guns in wartime. Each vessel would have 11 pairs lower deck gun ports and eventually an equal number on the upper deck with two pairs on the quarterdeck. The vessels would actually have varying number of guns and the dimensional data would vary considerably. Three vessels were ordered in December 1645.
The 1650 Programme of six 510 ton Fourth Rate vessels was initiated by the Council of State on 16 November 1649. On 2 January 1650 the Admiralty Committee confirmed that six 'frigrates' had been ordered at a cost of 6.10.0d per ton. The ships would be built under contract with the exception of one ship built in Dockyard. The ships were all named by 16 August 1650 and launched by the end of the year. Each ship was to carry initially 34 guns and 150 men. This would increase over time
The 1651 Programme of five 410-ton fourth-rate vessels was urged by the Council of State all speed should be made in completing the ships in May 1650. Initially five vessels were specified, three of 410 tons at 6.10.0d per ton and two of 600 tons at £7.10.0d per ton. The size of these vessels grew from the 1647 predecessors with 600 tonners being much broader. The three 410-ton vessels would be completed as 34-gun frigates.
HMS Portsmouth was a 34-gun fourth-rate of the English Navy, built by Thomas Eastwood at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1649. She was incorporated into the Commonwealth Navy in 1650. She partook in the Battle off Dover and Kentish Knock in 1652, the Gabbard and Scheveningen in 1653. After the Restoration she was incorporated into the Royal Navy. She was present at the Battle of Lowestoft (1665) and the Four Days Battle. She was present at the Texel in 1673, the Battle of Bantry Bay in 1689. She was captured by the French in August 1689 and blown up.
The Crane Group of four 200 ton small galleons were built after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. These vessels were all armed with about 20 guns and were rated in the six tier rating system of 1626 as Fourth Rate ships. They were all gone by the 1630s.
The 1637 Group of two 300 ton 'pinnances' to carry fourteen pieces of ordnance and sixteen banks of oars were ordered on 12 December 1636. These vessels would carry thirty pieces of ordnance with ten pairs of gun ports on the lower deck with two pair forward and four pairs aft on the upper deck. The waist would be unprotected until two more pairs of gun ports were added later. Their measurements would compare favourably to the 'frigate' type vessels built a decade later. Their beam to length ratio of 3.46 to 1 would make a more true frigate than the Constant Warwick.
Crow was a 36-gun fourth rate vessel captured from the French by the English, She was captured on 9 September 1652 as the 36-gun Le Croissant. She was commissioned into the Parliamentary Naval Force as Crow. She was sold 1656.
Fortune was a 36-gun fourth rate vessel captured from pirates or may have been in the service of Royalists by the Commonwealth of England, She was captured in 1652 as the 36-gun La Fortunnee. She was commissioned into the Parliamentary Naval Force as Fortune. She participated in the Battle of Dungeness and the Battle of Portland. She was sold 1654.
The Ruby Group of two 600 ton Fourth Rate vessels were part of the 1651 Programme. They were the two larger vessels. Initially five vessels were specified, three of 410 tons at 6.10.0d per ton and two of 600 tons at £7.10.0d per ton. The size of these vessels grew from the 1647 predecessors with 600 tonners being much broader. The two 600-ton vessels would be completed as 42-gun Fourth Rates.
With the ascension of Queen Anne to the throne of England these would be the first vessels associated to her reign. The vessels would be similar to the previous 1694 programme with one exception. The upper deck battery would be fully enclosed with a deck running from the foc'x'le to the quarterdeck. This would protect the gunners and battery during an action with the enemy. In 1702 one vessel was ordered from dockyard. In 1703 two more were ordered from dockyard.
