In September 1813, the commander-in-chief of British forces in North America, Sir George Prevost approved further ship construction on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812. Initially the plan was to construct a transport brig, but this idea was later changed to two frigates. The frigate was the first of the two ordered to begin construction. Initially called "Vittoria" for the recent victory in Spain by British forces, the vessel's name was changed to "Princess Charlotte" during construction, this time named for one of King George III's daughters. Before the frigate was fully constructed, the commander of British naval forces on Lake Ontario, Commodore Sir James Lucas Yeo, awarded command of the vessel to Commander William Mulcaster, advancing him to the rank of post-captain.