title: 1651 Programme Group
text: # 1651 Programme Group
  
  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 (or fourth rates).
  
  ## Design and specifications
  
  The construction of the vessels was assigned to Portsmouth Dockyard with one vessel contracted to Peter Pett I of Ratcliffe. The dimensional data was so varied that it will be listed on the individual vessels along with their gun armament composition.
  
  ## Ships of the 1651 Programme Group
  
  | Name | Builder | Launch date | Remarks |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Laurel (1651) | Portsmouth Dockyard | 1651 | Wrecked 30 May 1657 |
  | Sapphire (1651) | Peter Pett I, Ratcliffe | 1651 | Run aground 31 March 1670 |
  | Bristol (1653) | Portsmouth Dockyard | 1653 | Rebuilt at Deptford 1693 Captured by the French on 12 April 1709, then recaptured and sunk 25 April 1709 |
  