Mermaid-class frigate
The "Mermaid"-class frigates were a group of six 28-gun sailing frigates of the sixth rate designed in 1760 by Sir Thomas Slade, based on the scaled-down lines of HMS "Aurora" (originally a French prize, "L'Abénaquise", which had been captured in 1757). The contract for the prototype was agreed on 12 May 1760, for a ship to be launched within twelve months, and her name was assigned as "Mermaid" on 28 October 1760. The contract for the second ship was agreed on 10 March 1762, for a ship to be launched within thirteen months, and the  contract for the third ship was agreed on 2 April 1762, for a ship to be launched within fourteen months; both names were assigned on 30 April 1763. Some ten years after the design was first produced, it was re-used for a second batch of three ships which were ordered on Christmas Day, 1770. While the design differences from the first batch were minor (the keel was a few inches longer), the second batch were normally designated the Modified "Mermaid" class. Ships in class. First batch Second batch