and twelve -pounder swivel guns ranged along her sides. She was named in July 1757 after Actaeon, a hero from Greek mythology. The choice of name followed a trend initiated in 1748 by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, in his capacity as First Lord of the Admiralty, of using figures from classical antiquity as descriptors for naval vessels. A total of six Coventry-class vessels were named in this manner; a further ten were named after geographic features including regions, English or Irish rivers, or towns. In sailing qualities Actaeon was broadly comparable with French frigates of equivalent size, but with a shorter and sturdier hull and greater weight in her broadside guns. She was also comparatively broad-beamed with ample space for provisions and the ship's mess, and incorporating a large magazine for powder and round shot. Taken together, these characteristics would enable Actaeon to remain at sea for long periods without resupply. She was also built with broad and heavy masts, which balanced the weight of her hull, improved stability in rough weather and made her capable of carrying a greater quantity of sail. The disadvantages of this comparatively heavy design were a decline in manoeuvrability and slower speed, somewhat mitigated by the lightness of her fir-built frame. Her designated complement was 200, comprising two commissioned officers a captain and a lieutenant overseeing 40 warrant and petty officers, 91 naval ratings, 38 Marines and 29 servants and other ranks. Among these other ranks were four positions reserved for widow's men fictitious crew members whose pay was intended to be reallocated to the families of sailors who died at sea. Naval career Commissioning Actaeon was commissioned in September 1757 under Captain Michael Clements. It was Clements' first independent command, though he had distinguished himself six months earlier as first lieutenant aboard , taking control of that vessel upon the death of its captain, and guiding it to victory over two French privateers. His first duties aboard Actaeon were to oversee her fitting out at Chatham Dockyard, and to gather a crew so that she could put to sea. The fitout proceeded apace and was completed by the end of the year but there were difficulties with the crew; as a new captain aboard a new vessel, Clements struggled to attract skilled seafarers as volunteers and was forced to content himself with what could be supplied by the press gang. He