They were originally ordered as 24-gun ships with 160 men, but re-rated while under construction to 28 guns with the addition of 3-pounder guns on the quarterdeck and with their complement being raised to 180 men.
Initially intended as 24-gun warships with a crew of 160, these vessels underwent modifications during construction, being upgraded to 28-gun ships with added guns on the quarterdeck and their personnel expanded to 180 men.