| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | 1649 Programme |
| Builders | |
| Operators |
|
| Preceded by | 1647 Programme |
| Succeeded by | 1650 Programme |
| Built | 1649 - 1651 |
| In service | 1650 - 1711 |
| Completed | 5 |
| Lost | 4 |
| Retired | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | 38-gun Fourth Rate |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Complement | 150/1652, 160/1653 |
| Armament | 38 guns |
The 1649 Programme of five additional warships for the Navy of the new English Commonwealth ("to be frigate fashion") was approved by the Council of State on 25 March 1649, less that two months after the execution of King Charles I and the creation of a republican government. Three of these frigates, intended to be classed as Fourth rates, were ordered in late March (although of these the Worcester would be delayed and altered while building to a Third rate), while on 12 April orders were placed for two larger Third rates to serve as flagships for the Winter Guard (Speaker and Fairfax). The vessels as completed would actually have a varying number of guns and the dimensional data would vary considerably. They followed on from the three vessels ordered in December 1645 (the 1646 Programme Group) and four more in 1747 (the 1647 Programme Group).[1]
- ^ Winfield