The Royal Navy planned Inconstant as the first of six fast unarmoured frigates designed by Chief Constructor Edward Reed. The class answered the American Wampanoag design, whose exceptional speed made the wooden frigates appear threatening. Serious flaws in the American ships weakened the case for the British programme. The expense of Inconstant and her sisters also mattered, and construction stopped after three ships.
Chapter · 3:25-4:15
The Wampanoag threat behind Inconstant's design
Edward Reed planned six fast British frigates in response to the American Wampanoag class, but flaws in the American ships and the cost of the British design ended the programme after three.