The Sussex was a fourth-rate frigate, built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at one of the national Dockyards, and launched in late 1652. Her place of building is uncertain, with certain sources recording this as Portsmouth (by John Tippetts), others as Deptford and still others as Woolwich (by Christopher Pett). She was commissioned under Captain Roger Cuttance, and fitted out on the Thames. By 1653, her armament is recorded as consisting of 46 guns.