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Presented to the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
LIBRARY
by the
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE
LIBRARY
1980
PUBLICATIONS
OF THE
NAVY RECORDS SOCIETY
Vol. LI.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PHINEAS PETT
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF '_, ,^ • 5 ^'^
PHINEAS PETI*
EDITED BY
W. G. PERRIN
-i c t
fi
"=».
li^I:---fe> 5
PRINTED FOR THE NAVY RECORDS SOCIETY
MDCCCCXVIII
O
ONTARIO
THE COUNCIL
OF THE
NAVY RECORDS SOCIETY
I 9 I 7-1 9 1 8
PATRON
THE KING
PRESIDENT
THE RIGHT HON. LORD GEORGE HAMILTON, G.C.S.I.
VICE-PRESIDENTS
CoRBETT, Sir Julian S,, F.S.A. j Firth, Professor C. H., LL.D.,
CusTANCE, Admiral Sir Regi- i F.B.A.
NALD N., G.C.B., K.C.M.G., | Gray, Albert, K.C, C.B.
C.V.O., D.C.L. I
COUNCILLORS
Atkinson, C. T.
Bethell, Admiral Hon. Sir
A.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
Brindley, Harold H.
Callender, Geoffrey A. R.
Dartmouth, The Earl of,
K.C.B.
Desart, The Earl of, K.C.B.
Dewar, Commander Alfred
C, R.N.
Gough - Calthorpe, Vice-Ad-
miral The Hon. Sir Somer-
set A., K.C.B., C.V.O.
Guinness, Captain Hon.
Rupert E. C, C.B., C.M.G.,
M.P., R.N.V.R., Ad. C.
Kenyon, Sir Frederic G.,
K.C.B., D.Litt,, F.B.A.
Leyland, John
Marsden, R. G.
Milford Haven, Admiral The
Marquess of, P.C., G.C.B.,
G.C.V.O., K.C.M.G., LL.D..
Ad. C.
Murray, John, C.V.O.
Newbolt, Sir Henry
Ottley. Rear-Admiral Sir
Charles L., K.C.M.G., C.B.,
M.V.O.
Parry, Sir C. Hubert, Bt.,
C.V.O.
Pollen, Arthur H,
Richmond, Captain Herbert
W., R.N.
Robinson,Commander Charles
N., R.N,
Sanderson, Lord, G.C.B.,
K.C.M.G., l.S.O.
Slade, Admiral Sir Edmond
J. W., K.C. I.E., K.C.V.O.
Smith, Commodore Aubrey C.
H., M.V.O., R.N.
Tanner, J. R., Litt.D.
SECRETARY
Lieut.-Colonel W. G. Perrin, O.B.E., R.A.F., Admiralty, S.W.
HON. TREASURER
Sir W. Graham Greene, K.C.B., Ministry of Munitions, S.W.
The Counxil of the Navy Records Society wish it
to be distinctly understood that they are not answerable
for any opinions or observations that may appear in the
Society's publications. For these the responsibility rests
entirely with the Editors of the several works.
I
PREFACE
The manuscript in which Phineas Pett has
recorded the story of his Hfe from his birth in
1570 to the end of September 1638, consisted
originally of sixty-nine uniform quarto sheets,
of which the 52nd is now lost, together with the
bottom of the 14th. The handwriting is that
of Phineas throughout, but marginal references
on the first few pages and a note at the end —
' The life of Commissioner Pettis father whose
place he did enjoy' — have been added subse-
quently by Samuel Pepys, no doubt when he
was making the transcript referred to below.
The first paragraph is written on a separate
sheet, which, unlike the rest, has no writing
on the back, and is followed by a series of sub-
1612
traction sums of the form 1570 giving the age
'"42
of Phineas for each year from 1612 to 1640.
From the differences apparent in the figures
and ink it is clear that these calculations were
made year by year from the time that Phineas
was forty-two until he reached the age of seventy.
A close inspection of the internal construction,
the handwriting, and of the ink used, leads to
the conclusion that the body of the manuscript,
vui PREFACE
in the form in which it has descended to us,
was written up, not at short intervals, but in
sections at comparatively long intervals of time.
The first and largest of these, written appar-
ently in 1612, narrates the events down to Sep-
tember 1610, and stops at the word ' ordered '
on line 15 of page 80 below. The remainder *
of that paragraph continues on a fresh sheet in
a smaller handwriting and different ink, and
from that point the ample margin of the
earlier pages is abandoned and a small one ruled
off with lead pencil. The top line of this page
is also ruled, and from this page to the end of
the writing the use of these pencil lines persists.
The next break is in July 1611 (page 92), where
Pett reiterates the statement that he was sent for
by Prince Henry. Another break in the writing
seems to occur in September 1613 ; and a very
perceptible one, with change of ink, occurs in
1625 at 'All April' (page 134). The final
section, as indicated by a further change of ink,
begins in February 1631 : 'The 23rd of February '
(page 146). The various anachronisms observable
in the text show that these sections were written
up some considerable time after the events occurred.
Thus, the references to 'Sir* John Pennington in
1627 and 1628 make it clear that the events of
those years were not written up before 1634.
From the great accuracy of the dates given
(which have been frequently tested from con-
temporary sources), it is clear that Phineas kept
a diary in which events were recorded as they
occurred, and from which the narrative was
compiled. He appears to have commenced
this diary on going to Chatham in June 1600,
^ Probably rewritten when the narrative was taken up
again.
PREFACE ix
when precise dates begin to replace the vague
' about/ ' toward the end/ &c., of the earlier
paragraphs.
The narrative stops abruptly in 1638, appar-
ently with the sentence unfinished, for there is
no mark of punctuation after the last word. In
1640, when the final section seems to have been
written, Pett was an old man, and it is probable
that, having been interrupted at this point, the
fast-gathering troubles of the State diverted
his mind from the subject, or left him without
sufficient energy or leisure to pursue it.
It will be noticed that towards the end the
composition becomes more slovenly and the
omission of words more frequent, as though
the task had become burdensome and the author
anxious to have done with it.
Pepys copied the whole of the manuscript
into the first volume of his Miscellany with the
following preface :
' A Journal of Phineas Pett, Esquire,
Commissioner of the Navy and father to
Peter Pett, late Commissioner of the same
at Chatham, viz: from his birth A° 1570
to the arrival of the Royal Sovereign, by
him then newly built, at her moorings
at Chatham; transcribed from the original
written all with his own hand and lent me
to that purpose by his grandson Mr.
Phineas, son to Captain Phineas Pett.'
The manuscript afterwards came into the pos-
session of George Jackson, who was Secretary of
the Navy Board in 1758 and Second Secretary of
the Admiralty from 1766 to 1782. Sir George
Duckett (he had changed his surname in 1797)
died in 1822, and ten years later his library,
X PREFACE
including a very valuable collection of naval
manuscripts, was sold by auction. Fortunately
the manuscripts were purchased by the British
Museum after being bought in at the sale; the
volume (No. IV) in which this manuscript was
contained becoming Additional MS. 9298. A
commonplace book (Additional MS. 9295) con-
taining, among copies of various naval docu-
ments, an abbreviated version was purchased at
the same time.
The copy of the autobiography most gener-
ally known is the early eighteenth-century tran-
script in the Harleian Collection (Harl. 6279).
It is to this copy that writers usually refer,
possibly because it is mentioned in the paper ^
published in ArchcBologia in 1796, although
the garbled extracts there given are stated to
have been taken * from another copy ' and seem,
in fact, to have been taken from the original.' A
further reason for the preference generally shown
for the Harleian copy may be its more modern
and more clerkly handwriting.
The Harleian transcript is not a good one.
It contains few omissions, none of great import-
ance, but mistranscriptions of individual words
are very numerous and have reduced the text
to nonsense in several places.^ It may seem
strange that writers should be content to quote
passages that were evidently incorrect, without
looking at another copy, which was easily to be
* By the Rev. S. Dennc, Archceologia xii. p. 217.
* Tlic words ' and ourselves to sit with the Officers ' (page
144) . not m the Harleian copy, are in the printed version.
* E.g. ' Articles ' for ' Arches,' p. 14 ; ' enemy ' for ' in-
jury,' p. 26 ; ' tarried ' for ' arrived,' p. 25 ; ' Frank Moore '
for * Tranckmore,' p. 33 ; * perceived ' for ' protested,' p. 61 ;
* care ' for ' ease,' p. 104 ; ' Warwick,' for ' Woolwich ' p. 142,
&c., &c.
PREFACE xi
found ; but whatever the reason may be, the fact
is that hitherto the original has remained un-
identified as such.
The best transcript is that made by Pepys ;
but even he had difficulty in deciphering some
of the words, although the handwriting of Pett
is, on the whole, very clear and consistent.
In preparing this edition, the Pepysian and
Harleian copies have been collated and the missing
parts of the original made good by this means ;
but as the numerous inversions of form and
mistakes of reading in these copies have no
general interest — and are of no authority in
presence of the original — there is no need to specify
them in detail.
Considerable licence has been taken with
the punctuation of the sentences, which is entirely
without system in the original, and the spelUng has
been modernised in accordance with the rule of
the Society, but the composition has been left
otherwise untouched. Where some word is neces-
sary to complete the sense it has been added in
square brackets [], and the parts now missing
irom the original, which have been supplied from
the transcripts, have been printed in italics. The
legal year in England, prior to 1752, did not
commence until the 25th March, and Pett usually
gives his dates by this reckoning, but in one or
two instances he writes as though the year had
begun on 1st January and ended on 31st December.
To avoid misunderstanding, it may be stated that
the dates in the Introduction, headings, and
notes are given according to the Julian year,
commencing on ist January.
Pett invariably wrote and signed ' Phinees,'
but it has been thought better to adhere to the
spelling * Phineas,' which appears from time to
xii PREFACE
time in documents from 1605 onwards and has
been universally adopted by modern writers.
In the Introduction an attempt has been
made : first, to trace the rise of the Master Ship-
wright as an official of the Crown and to consider
his relation to the profession of shipwrights
generally ; secondly, to trace the origin of the
Pett family and its ramifications down to the
date of Phineas' death ; thirdly, to throw addi-
tional hght on the events narrated in the manu-
script from such original sources as are accessible.
In asking the indulgence of the reader towards
the evident shortcomings of this attempt, the
Editor would plead that most of the work has
had to be carried out under great difficulties
in scanty moments of leisure. Despite the
generous assistance of Mr. Vincent Redstone of
Woodbridge, whose extensive knowledge of Suffolk
genealogy has been brought to bear on the problem,
it has not been found possible to trace the Pett
family to its original location, but it is hoped that
sufficient has been done to render this task more
easy to some future investigator.
In conclusion the Editor has to thank many
friends for the help readily given, more especially
Dr. Tanner, who has read the proofs and given
the Introduction the benefit of his criticism, and
Mr. G. E. Manwaring, of the London Library, who
has rendered invaluable help in clearing up many
obscure points, and he is indebted to Mrs Scott for
the loan of the MS. treatise on shipbuilding referred
to in the Introduction. The Editor has also had
the great advantage of discussing with Mr. L. G.
Carr Laughton the technical questions raised in
connexion with the Prince Royal and the
Sovereign of the Seas.
December 191 8. \\ . G. P.
CONTENTS
Introduction
The Shipwrights
The Family of Pett
Phineas Pett .
The Autobiography ....
Appendices
I. Grant to Phineas Pett .
II. Petition of Shipwrights .
III. Charter to Shipwrights' Company (1605)
IV. Charter to Shipwrights* Company (1612)
V. New Building the Prince Royal
VI, Petition to the Admiralty (1631)
VII. Letter to Buckingham (1623) .
VIII. Protest against Building the Sovereign
IX. Ships Built or Rebuilt by Phineas Pett
X. The Arms of Pett
Index
XV
xlii
lii
173
175
176
179
207
210
212
214
217
218
219
INTRODUCTION
I. — The Shipwrights,
It might be supposed that so ancient a craft as
that of shipbuilding would have left some trace
in contemporary records of its activities, the
methods of its technique, and the personalities
of those engaged in it. Yet although references
to ships and shipping are frequent in the records
of this country from the earliest times, and
although the shipwright was a distinct class of
workman at least as early as the tenth century—
probably much earlier — no record of the methods
in which he set about the design and construc-
tion of ships earlier than the end of the sixteenth
century appears to have survrved.
It may be presumed that those of our
earlier kings who possessed a navy royal, and
did not rely entirely on the support of the Cinque
Ports and of the merchant shipping, would
include among their servants some skilled man
to perform the functions of a master shipwright,
and if not to design, at any rate to look to the
upkeep of the king's ships and to watch the
construction in private yards of those intended
for the royal service. But if the Clerk of the
Ships, who first comes into notice in the reign
of John, had any such subordinate, his existence
xvi INTRODUCTION
before the end of the reign of Henry V is not
known to us. It is, however, possible that, on
occasion, this duty was performed by the king's
carpenters, whose principal function seems to
have been to keep the woodwork of the royal
castles in repair. In 1337 forty oaks required
in the construction of a galley, then being built at
Hull for Edward III under the superintendence of
William de la Pole, a prominent merchant of that
town, were supphed by the Prior of Blyth, who
was directed to hand them over to William de
Kelm (Kelham), the king's carpenter [carpentario
nostro).^ The accounts for this galley have not
survived, and there is no means of ascertaining
whether William de Kelm had anything to do
with the actual construction. Another galley
and a barge were at the same time being built
at Lynn under Thomas and William de Melche-
burn. The accounts ' show that the master
carpenter (magister carpentariorum) of the galley
was John Kech, who was paid at the rate of six-
pence • a day and had under him six carpenters at
fivepence a day, six ' clynckers ' at fourpence,
six holders at threepence, and four labourers
(servientes) at twopence halfpenny. The master
carpenter of the barge was Ralph atte Grene,
who received the same rate of pay as Kech.
Neither Kech nor Grene appear as the King's
servants.
In 1421 the ' King's servant ' John Hogge-
kyns, ' master carpenter of the king's ships,' was
granted by letters patent a pension of fourpence
a day, ' because in labouring long about them
he is much shaken and deteriorated in body,'
• Col. Close Rolls, 27 Jan. 1337. Rymer, Foedera, iv. 703.
• Exchequer Accis. 19/31.
• This rate was being paid in 1303.
\
INTRODUCTION xvii
and this grant was confirmed in December of the
following year on the accession of Henry VI.
In 1416-18 Hoggekyns had built the Grace Dieu,
* if not the largest, probably the best equipped
ship yet built in England.' ^
With the sale of most of the royal navy on
the death of Henry V, the need for a ' master
carpenter of the King's Ships ' must have passed
away, and no trace of any further appointment
of this character has been found for over a cen-
tury. The construction of the Regent in i486 was
entrusted by Henry VII to the Master of the
Ordnance, and it seems probable that the design
of the Henri Grace k Dieu, built in 1514, was the
work of the Clerk of the Ships, Robert Brygandin,^
although the superintendence of her building
was entrusted to William Bond (or Bound),
who is described in 1519 as 'late clerk of the
poultry, surveyor, and payer of expenses for
the construction of the Henri Grace a Dieu and
the three other galleys.* ^
It is not until the later years of Henry VIIFs
reign that steps appear to have been taken to
establish in the royal service a permanent body
of men skilled in the art of shipbuilding. From
the earliest times of which records exist it had been
the practice to send out agents to the various
ports to impress the shipwrights, caulkers, sawyers,
and other workmen required for the construction
and repair of ships of the Royal Navy. This
system was no doubt satisfactory while the
^ Oppenheim, The Administration of the Royal Navy, 1509-
1660, p. 14.
' Thos. Allen, writing to the Earl of Shrewsbury in 15 16,
refers to * one Brygandin son unto him that made the King's
great ship. ' Lodge, Illustrations of British History, vol. i. p. 14.
» Cal. S.P. Dom., May 12, 1519.
J?
xviii INTRODUCTION
merchant ship and the royal ship presented no
essential points of difference ; the latter were, in-
deed, often let out to hire for mercantile pur-
poses. But when the ship-of-war began to carry a
larger number of guns than the trading ship found
necessary for her protection— a change that may
be roughly dated from the end of the fifteenth
century — the methods of construction began to
diverge, and the old system of casual impressment
must have tended to become less and less satis-
factory ; so that when Henry, after remodelling
the material of the Navy, turned, at the end of
his reign, to the improvement of the Adminis-
tration he no doubt saw the necessity of attract-
ing permanently to his service men capable of
directing the art of shipbuilding, as apphed to
ships of war, in the new channels in which it
was henceforth destined to run.
Up to this point, the position of the ship-
wright— even of the Master Shipwright— was
not an exalted one. He was classed among ' ser-
vants ' and * artificers,' and his pay was made the
subject of legislation expressly designed to keep
the wages of those classes as low as possible.
In ' Naval Accounts and Inventories of the
Reign of Henry VII, 1485-8 and 1495-7,'
Mr. Oppenheim has edited material which illus-
trates the various rates paid to shipwrights, and
has pointed out that these rates of pay 'had
remained practically unaltered since the days of
Henry V.* An Act of Parliament of 1495 ^ laid
down the following scale of payments : —
* ' An Act for Servants' Wages,' 11 Henry VII, c. 22.
INTRODUCTION xix
From Candlemas to Michaelmas.
With meat Without
and drink, meat and drink,
a day a day
Master Ship Carpenter with
charge of work and men
under him . . -5^. yd.
Other Ship Carpenter called
a Hewer
An able Clincher
Holder
Master Caulker .
A mean Caulker
Caulker labouring by the
tide, for as long as he may
labour above water and
beneath water, shall not
exceed for every tide . 4^.
From Michaelmas to Candlemas,
. 4d,
6d.
. . 3d.
5d.
. 2d.
Ad,
. 4d.
6d.
. 3d.
5d.
Master Shipwright
Hewer
Able Clincher .
Holder
Master Caulker .
A mean Caulker
4d, 6d.
3d, 5d.
2^d, /\^d.
Ad. 3d.
2id, 4ld,
This Act was repealed in 1496, but the same
scale was fixed in 1514 by an Act ^ that was not
repealed until 1562.
It will be observed that the highest rate under
these Acts is sevenpence a day, although in
several instances in the accounts* referred to
* An Act concerning Artificers and Labourers, 6 Henry VIII
c. 3. » Op, cit., pp. 22, 153, 179, 232-3.
XX INTRODUCTION
above a Master Shipwright was paid eightpence
a day.
When Henry VIII instituted^ the practice
of granting by letters patent an annuity for
life to certain shipwrights performing the duties
of the office known later as * the Master Ship-
wright,' he fixed the daily rate upon the basis
set forth above, but it must be borne in mind
that (as will be shown later) this did not repre-
sent the total emoluments of that official, who
was in effect raised, both as to emoluments and
status, above the class in which he had formerly
been placed.
The first of the succession of officials thus
established by Henry appears to have been James
Baker, who by letters patent ^ dated the 20th
May 1538 was granted, as from Michaelmas
1537, an annuity for life of fourpence a day, the
lowest rate of a Master Shipwright, or Master
Ship Carpenter as he was alternatively called
by the Acts referred to. The entry in the Roll
is of some interest ; unlike the later grants,
this grant is not based upon past services, but
solely upon services which are to be rendered in
the future,^ and the authority for the letters
patent is not the usual writ of privy seal, but the
direct motion of the King : ' per ipsum Regem.'
In December 1544 new letters patent were issued,*
in which Baker is described as a ' Shipwright '
and the annuity (annuitatem sive annualem red-
ditum) fixed at eightpence a day. In January
• Henry V had merely given a pension for past service
to a shipwright incapable of further labours.
• Patent Roll 680.
• ' Ac in consideratione veri et fidelis servicii quod dilectus
serviens noster Jacobus Baker durante vita sua impendere
intendit.' • Pat. Roll 704.
INTRODUCTION xx!
of the same year, Peter Pett, ' Shipwright/ had
by letters patent been granted a wage and fee
{vadium et feodum) of sixpence a day for life, as
from Michaelmas 1543, ' in consideration of his
good and faithful service done and to be done ' ;
from which it appears that Peter Pett was already
in the royal service. It is probable that the
increase in Baker's annuity was intended to
mark his superior position in relation to Pett.
The official title of ' master shipwright ' does
not appear as yet in use, for when Baker and
other shipwrights were, in the next year, sent by
the Council, at the request of the Lord Admiral,
to Portsmouth to examine into the decay of
one of the ships there, they were simply described
as * Masters James Baker and others skilful in
ships/ ^ In addition to Baker and Pett, these
included John Smyth, Robert Holborn, and
Richard Bull. On the 23rd April 1548 these
three latter, under the designation of ' Ship-
wrights,' together with Richard Osborn, anchor-
smith, * had by bill signed by the King's Majesty
each of them 4^. per diem in consideration of
their long and good service and that they
should instruct others in their feats.' ^ Smyth
and Holborn were hardly in the same category
as Baker and Peter Pett. They seem to have
been skilled mechanics rather than constructors
or designers, and are not mentioned as having
* built ' a ship, though this is perhaps due to the
scantiness of the surviving records ; but the fact
that the formality of letters patent was dis-
pensed with in connexion with this grant is sig-
nificant. Bull was, however, in May 1550 granted
I2d, a day from Midsummer 1549 t)y letters
1 Acts 0] the P.C., New Series, i. 233.
» Ibid,, ii. p. 186.
kxii INTRODUCTION
patent in the usual terms/ and since Peter Pett
was not granted this higher rate until April 1558,*
in the last year of Mary's reign, it would seem as
though Buirs services were rated by Edward VI
more highly than Pett's. James Baker does not
seem to have long survived Henry VIII. Prob-
ably he died in 1549, and Bull received Baker's
annuity, since it is not likely that an additional
annuity would be created for Bull at that time,
and there is no mention of any reversion in
Bull's patent.
Little is known of Bull • or of another master
shipwright * William Stephins ' * who is men-
tioned in 1553 and 1558. The latter may have
been the ancestor of the Stevens ^ who built
the Warspite in 1596, and contested the place
of Master Shipwright with Phineas.
In 1572 Mathew Baker, son of James, suc-
ceeded to Bull's annuity. The letters patent ^ by
which the grant was made are different in form
from those above referred to, for Baker is first
granted the office of Master Shipwright ' with all
profits and emoluments pertaining to it, which he is
* Pat. Roll 833. I cannot trace in the rolls any similar
grant to Holborn or Smyth.
« Pat. Roll, 921.
» He may be the Richard Bull who was called before
the Council in 1555. Acts oj the P.C., v. 189.
* Stephins was engaged on the repair of the Lion barge
in 1553, and was paid 20/. as ' the Queen's Majesty's Ship-
wright ' for making the Leader barge in 1558. Acts of the
P.C., iv. .362, and vi. 426.
■ The difference in the spelling is no argument against
this, as ' ph ' and ' v ' are used indifferently in the documents
in this surname, Stevens' name being spelt * Stevyns '
and ' Stevins ' and ' Stephens ' in the rolls.
* Pat. Roll 1091.
' Officium Naupegiarii sive unius magistrorum factorum
Navium et Cimbarum nostrarum.
INTRODUCTION xxiii
to hold in as ample a mode and form as ' a certain
Richard Bull, deceased/ or any other, had held
such office, and then, for the exercise of this
office, he is granted the usual annuity of I2d. a
day for life, as from Lady Day 1572.
In January 1584 Baker attended personally
at the Exchequer and of his free will surrendered
this grant in exchange for one in similar form ^
made out to himself and John Addey ^ with
reversion to the longer liver. The reasons why
Baker thus formally adopted Addey as his suc-
cessor do not appear. However, Baker outlived
him, dying in 1613, whereas Addey died in 1606
at Deptford, where he was then the Master
Shipwright.
In July 1582 Peter Pett had appeared at
the Exchequer and surrendered his patent of
1558, receiving in exchange a joint patent,' in
similar terms, for himself and his eldest son,
William, who was already in the royal service
as a shipwright,* with reversion to the longer
liver. WilHam, however, died in 1587, two years
before his father, so that the annuity never
reverted to him. In his will he describes him-
self as one of her Majesty's Master Shipwrights,
1 Pat. Roll 1249. The entry in Pat. Roll 1091 is vacated
with an endorsement in the margin, signed by Mathew Baker
and William Borough to the effect that the surrender was
voluntary and in consideration of the grant to Baker and
Addey.
« Sometimes spelt Adye, Adie, or Ady.
» Pat. Roll 1210. No office is mentioned ; all that is
conveyed is the * annuity or annual fee of i2d. sterhng a
day.'
* Nee non in consideratione boni et fidelis servicii per
praefatum Willelmum Pett Shipwright antehac impensi ac
imposterum impendendi in fabricatione navium nostrarum
heredum et successorum nostrorum ac in assistencia sua in
causis nostris marinis.
xxiv INTRODUCTION
and from the reference to him in the patent
above referred to it seems probable that he held
the office in 1584.
In 1587 Richard Chapman received a grant *
of the office of ' Naupegiarius/ which was to
be held on similar terms {modo et forma) to those
in which Peter Pett and Mathew Baker or any
other held like office, but the annuity granted
with it was 2od. a day, and not the usual i2d.
Apparently this was an additional post created
especially for Chapman, and the 2od. indicates
the rise that had by that time taken place in
the shipwrights* rates of pay.
In July 1^90 Joseph Pett was granted I2d,
a day as from Midsummer. ^ Presumably this
was the annuity that had reverted to the Ex-
chequer on the death of his father in 1589, his
brother William, who had held the reversion of
it, being already dead ; but the patent contains
no reference to this, the grant being based upon
'his good and faithful service done and to be
done in building our ships.' Unlike those issued
to Mathew Baker and Chapman, this patent
contains no reference to office and is in the earlier
form. Phineas (see p. 4) dates Joseph's succession
to his father's place as Master Shipwright in
1592, but this is evidently incorrect.
In April 1592 Chapman died ^ at Deptford,
and William Bright, one of the Assistant Master
* Pat. Roll 1300. In a MS. account of the ' ordinary
wages and exchequer fees of his Majesty's Master Ship-
wrights ' (Add. MS. 9299 f. 48) it is stated that this had
been given in recompense for building the Ark Royal, but as
this ship appears to have been originally built for Ralegh
this can hardly have been the reason. The patent only
speaks of ' good and faithful service done and to be done.'
2 Pat. Roll 1342.
^ Drake's edition of Hasted, History of Kent, p. 41.
INTRODUCTION xxv
Shipwrights, succeeded to his post and annuity
of 2od.^ In July 1603 Edward Stevens, who was
a private shipbuilder of some importance, ^ ob-
tained a grant by letters patent ^ in terms that
differ from those hitherto noticed. In considera-
tion of service to be rendered in the future {post-
had), he is granted an office of Master Ship-
wright for life — which office he is to have and
exercise directly one becomes vacant, in as ample
a manner as Mathew Baker, William Bright and
Joseph Pett or any other had held it— together
with an annuity of 2od. a day for his services.
Finally the patent concludes by declaring that
no one else shall be admitted to such an office
until after Stevens has been duly appointed
and installed. This was the patent that gave
Phineas such 'great discouragement ' (p. 20). It
is drawn up in due form, and it is difficult to
understand on what grounds it can legally have
been set aside. The patent * granted to Phineas
in 1604 did not revoke it, it was not recalled, and
it would appear that it was in virtue of this same
patent that Stevens was finally admitted as
Master Shipwright in 1613. However, Phineas,
by the all-powerful influence of the Lord High
Adnairal, managed to get it set aside in his favour
on the death of his brother Joseph in 1605, * by
reason the fee was mistaken wherein his Majesty
was abused and charged with an innovation.' ^
The ' innovation ' was evidently the grant of a
^ Add. MS. 9299. I have not been able to find his patent.
* He built the War spite in 1596 and the Malice Scourge for
the Earl of Cumberland, and in 1598 and 1600 received, in
conjunction with others, the usual ' rewards ' for building
merchant ships {Cal. S,P. Dom., 30 July 1596, 24 Sept. 1598,
15 Jan. 1600). 3 Pat. Roll. 1620.
* Appendix I, p. 173. = Infra, p. 27.
xxvi INTRODUCTION
* general reversion/ It would have been inter-
esting to see the arguments laid before the Council
by Stevens when, as Phineas tells us, he con-
tested the decision, but unfortunately all the
Council Registers from 1603 to 1613 perished in
the fire at Whitehall in 161 8. There is little
w^onder that Stevens (who was an older man and
had, one would imagine, superior claims) bore a
grudge against Pett. Stevens appears to have
been appointed as Master Shipwright in the
vacancy caused by the death of Baker in 1613. In
i6i4he was Master Shipwright at Portsmouth, and
was in 162 1 serving with Phineas as his ' fellow '
Master Shipwright at Chatham, where he died,
being succeeded by Henry Goddard in 1626.
On 26th April 1604 Phineas, by the assist-
ance of the Lord High Admiral, obtained the
grant by letters patent of two chances of the
reversion of an annuity of I2d. a day, either that
of Baker- Addey or that of his brother Joseph. His
brother w^as the first to die, and at the end of the
following year Phineas succeeded to the annuity
that had been in the hands of the Petts since 1544.
It is of interest to note that the patent was
not of itself sufficient to enable the patentee to
enter into the office of Master Shipwright ; the
Lord High Admiral's warrant was also necessary.
A specimen of such a warrant has been preserved
in the State Papers ^ in the case of Goddard, who
succeeded Stevens in 1626, having held a rever-
sion by patent since 1620, and runs as follow^s : —
Whereas we have received certain knowledge
of the death of Edward Stevens late one of his
* S.P. Dom. Chas. I, xxxv. 104. AUhough counter-
signed by Coke, this warrant is not signed by the Lord High
Admiral, so presumably it is a duplicate.
INTRODUCTION xxvii
Majesty's Master Shipwrights and the necessity
and importance of his Majesty's Service requireth
another man to be presently entered in his place.
And forasmuch as the bearer hereof Henry Goddard
is authorised by his Majesty's letters patents to
execute the next place of a Master Shipwright
that should become void by death or otherwise.
And in regard we have had good experience of the
sufficiency and honesty of the said Henry Goddard
and that the said place of one of his Majesty's
Master Shipwrights is granted to him by his Majesty's
letters patents under the great seal of England.
These are therefore to will and require you to cause
the said Henry Goddard to be entered one of his
Majesty's Master Shipwrights with such allowances
as is usual.
Hereof we require you not to fail. And for
your so doing this shall be your warrant.
Dated the i6 of September 1626.
J. Coke.
To our very loving friend Peter Buck, Esq., Clerk
of his Majesty's Check at Chatham or his deputy.
The Lord High Admirars records have long
since disappeared, and in the State Papers for
the period with which we are concerned very
few documents remain of the bulk of naval
records that must once have existed. This one
is therefore of considerable interest on account
of the light which it throws upon the very inde-
pendent position of the Lord High Admiral in
relation to the Crown : it may be doubted whether
any other great officer of State was in a position of
such authority that he could presume to ratify
a grant that had already passed the Great Seal.
At the time when Phineas became a Master
Shipwright, the ordinary wages of the post, paid
by the Treasurer of the Navy, were 25. a day ;
to this was added the Exchequer fee or annuity
xxviii INT ROD UCTION
of I2d. (or in the case of Bright 2od.) a day.
Besides these Mathew Baker received a pension
from the Exchequer of £40 a year granted by
writ of Privy Seal, said to be ' in recompense
of his service after the building of the Mer-
honour ' ; a concession that at a later period ^ was
extended to Phkieas. Thus, at that period, the
total yearly emoluments of Mathew Baker were
£94, 155. ; of Bright ;f66, 185.4^. ; andof Phineas
Pett £54, 15s. ; while the East India Company
paid Burrell, their Master Shipwright, £200. After
making allowance for the difference in the value
of money at the beginning of the seventeenth
century and its present (or rather pre-war) value,'
it is clear that these were inadequate emoluments
for so important a post, and it is not surprising
that many of the Master Shipwrights kept private
shipbuilding yards, ^ while all added to their in-
come at the expense of the Crown in ways that
were very irregular and constantly gave rise to
scandal. Probably none was more adept in this
art than Phineas himself.
In addition to the Master Shipwrights receiv-
ing an additional allowance from the Exchequer
under letters patent, who seem to have been known
as the * principal * Master Shipwrights, there were
others who, although they were never fortunate
enough to succeed to an Exchequer annuity,
performed the duties of the post, to which, ap-
* II July 1614. He does not mention this in the manu-
script.
" Probably these amounts should be multipHed by 6.
■ Thus in November 1591, whilst holding office as Master
Shipwright, Chapman, who owned a private yard at Dept-
ford, was paid the bounty of 5s. a ton for building the Dainty of
London of 200 tons, ' as an encouragement to him and others to
build like ships,' and Phineas was paid the hke bounty for
building the Resistance. (Cal, S.P. Dom.)
INTRODUCTION xxix
parently, they were admitted by warrant from
the Lord High Admiral before their reversions
under letters patent fell due. In this category
were William Pett and Addey.
The relationship between the royal ship-
wrights and the commercial shipbuilders was at
all times very close. Not only did the former
engage freely in commercial business, but they
joined the latter in attempting to regulate the
shipbuilding industry of the country. An un-
dated petition of both classes of shipwrights
for incorporation occurs among the State Papers
of 1578.1 No answer seems to have been given
to it, but as there is a ' brief ' of a patent for
shipwrights dated 1592 mentioned in the calendar
of Salisbury MSS.,^ it is clear that the proposal
subsequently received consideration, although the
matter did not come to fruition until thirteen
years later.
All record of the steps that preceded the grant
of the Charter of 1605 ^ appears to be lost. It is
not probable that the aged Nottingham would
have moved in the matter without strong pressure
from below, and we can only surmise that the
officers of the company thereby incorporated were
the prime movers in the agitation which led to its
being granted.
It will be observed that the petition of 1578 is
based upon the alleged need for regulating the
pay, discipline, and training of the ordinary ship-
wrights, now increasing rapidly in number with
the increase of the mercantile marine. The
arguments for granting the Charter of 1605,
as set forth in the preamble, are two : first, that
^ Appendix II, p. 175.
' Salisbury MSS. {Hist. MSS.), i. 276.
^ Appendix III, p. 176.
XXX INTRODUCTION
all ships, both royal and merchant, were built
neither strongly nor well ; secondly, that many
of the shipwrights were not sufficiently skilful.
The remedy proposed for this state of affairs was
the formation of a corporation or trade union,
of which all persons engaged in shipbuilding in
England and Wales were to be compelled to
become members. The government of the cor-
poration— ^and therefore of the whole ship-
building industry of the country — was placed in
the hands of a Master, four Wardens, and twelve
Assistants. Baker, as the most noted ship-
builder of the period, was rightly made the
Master ; the wardenships w^re divided between
the remaining two master-shipwiights and two
of the most prominent private shipbuilders ; the
twelve assistantships were divided as follows :
Phineas Pett, Addey, and Apslyn, from the royal
dockyards ; four shipbuilders of the neighbour-
hood of London ; and one each from Woodbridge,
Ipswich, Bristol, Southampton, and Yarmouth.
The omission of any representative from Hull or
Newcastle is noteworthy.
No record remains to show what effect this
charter had ; probably very little, if one may
judge from the absence of any record of com-
plaints against it, although the documentary
remains of the first ten years of James Fs reign
are so very scanty that no great reliance can be
placed upon this argument.
In 1612 another charter * was sealed. The
necessity for this was based on the ground of the
insufficiency of the powers granted by the former
charter, and no pains were spared to remedy
this, so far as words could do so. The Charter
of 1605 extends over five and a half membranes
* Appendix IV, p. 179.
INTRODUCTION xxxi
of the Patent Roll, each membrane about 30
inches long and containing 90 lines of writing.
The Charter of 161 2 was a portentous document ;
its enrolment extends from membrane 16(2)
to membrane 37 and contains about 15,600 words.
No possible loophole was left for any verbal
quibble or evasion on the part of those who might
desire to escape from its jurisdiction ; the ' all
and every person and persons being shipwrights
or carpenters using the art or mystery of ship-
building and making ships ' of the earlier charter
— sufficiently explicit, one would have thought —
becomes ' all and every person and persons being
shipwrights, caulkers or ship-carpenters, or in any
sort using, exercising, practising, or professing
the art, trade, skill or mystery of building, making,
trimming, dressing, graving, launching, winding,
drawing, stocking, or repairing of ships, carvels,
hoys, pinnaces, crayers, ketches, lighters, boats,
barges, wherries, or any other vessel or vessels
whatsoever used for navigation, fishing, or trans-
portation,' and to this is added another long
clause covering accessories made of wood, from
masts downward. The other clauses of the
earlier charter are also expanded with the like
object, and there are several new ones. Deputies
were to be appointed in ' every convenient and
needful place ' to see that the ordinances of the
Corporation were properly carried out, and to
collect dues ; members might be admitted who
were not shipwrights ; the admission of apprentices
was regulated ; dues were to be received on
account of all ships built ; the secrets of the art
were to be kept from foreigners ; power was
given to punish those who forsook their work or
became mutinous ; the Corporation was granted
the reversion of the post of Surveyor of Tonnage
xxxii INTRODUCTION
of new-built ships, and was to examine each new
ship to see that it was properly built ' with two
orlops at convenient distances, strong to carry
ordnance aloft and alow, with her forcastle and
half deck close for fight ' ; provision was to be
made for the poor ; and finally, no doubt on
account of the extended powers granted, the
ancient liberties of the Cinque Ports were ex-
pressly reserved to them.
The provision for the armament of the merchant
ships is of especial interest when it is remembered
that in this year the Royal Navy reached the low
water mark of neglect and inefficiency, while
piracy in British waters reached a high water
mark of efficiency that promised the speedy
extinction of the peaceful trader.
But if the general trend of the new charter
was the enlargement and consolidation of the
powers of the Corporation, there is one significant
change that led in the opposite direction : the
'Shipwrights of England ' became the 'Ship-
wrights of Redrith ^ in the County of Surrey,'
a step so retrograde that it is difficult to imagine
what possible argument could have been adduced
to justify such a change : some reason, no doubt,
there was, but owing to the loss of the records
it has not been possible to discover it.^ It will
be observed that, although the master under
the new charter was a government official, the
wardens, reduced to three in number, were all
private shipbuilders, and only three of the sixteen
assistants were in the service of the State.
In the year following the grant of the enlarged
charter, the legal position of the Corporation was
i * Rotherhithe, where their Hall was situated.
» Probably it was due to the growing resistance of the
City Company of Free Shipwrights.
INTRODUCTION xxxiii
further strengthened by the issue of an Order
in Council authorising the Master and Wardens
to apprehend all persons using the art of
shipbuilding contrary to the Charter, and all
apprentices or journeymen departing unlawfully
from their masters ; ^ and by an order of the
Lord High Admiral directing the apprehension
of all persons who refused to conform to the
regulations, and their imprisonment until they
complied — ' they being chiefly poor men and unable
to pay a fine.' *
The fact that it was necessary to recapitulate
two of the penal clauses of the charter throws
light on the uncertain scope — possibly the
illegality — of the powers intended to be con-
ferred by it. The active life of the Corporation
was one long struggle to enforce its powers and
secure its rights, not only against private in-
dividuals or rival bodies, but even against the
Officers of the Crown, who might well have been
expected to respect the provisions of its charter.
For the resistance to the Corporation did not
come from * poor men ' alone. The other
associated bodies of shipwrights that were in
being resented interference in their own localities.
The most important of these was the London
Civic Company, known as the Company or
Brotherhood of Free Shipwrights of London,
which had been in existence as a ' trade craft '
or * guild ' from an early date. It is mentioned
among the Civic Companies in 1428, ^ and was in
1456 erected into a * fraternity in the worship
1 Cal. S.P. Dom., 12 July 1613.
* Ihid.i 30 Oct. 1613.
^ See Sharpe, Short Account of the WorshipfuV Company of
Shipwrights. This author has made the mistake of assuming
that the Charter of 1605 was granted to the City Company.
xxxiv INTRODUCTION
of St. Simon and St. Jude/ and in 1483 regula-
tions were made by it relating to apprenticeship
and use of good material and workmanship.
This company held a very obscure position
among the minor companies ^ of the City, and
during the period in which its activities concern
us it seems to have been in a very low financial
condition. This, however, did not deter it from
contesting the jurisdiction of the Corporation
(or * foreign ' shipwrights, as it termed them,
despite the fact that, owing to the growth of
London, it had itself long left the boundaries
of the City's Liberties, and now had its head-
quarters near Ratcliff Cross), and the City, not un-
naturally jealous of its own special privileges,
supported the opposition.
At first the efforts of the free shipwrights of
the City to dispute the authority of the Corpora-
tion were unsuccessful. An attempt made in
1632 ended in the submission of the two citizens
who had been put up to contest the matter, and
their ' promise to be obedient to the Shipwrights
of Rotherhithe, saving the freedom of the City
of London ' ; ^ a submission brought about by the
fact that they were members of both companies,
although they had endeavoured to deny that they
were members of the Incorporated Company of
Rotherhithe.'
A further attempt in 1637, however, by two
other free shipwrights, backed again by the City
Corporation, was more successful. The case was
* It is not even mentioned in Stowe's list of sixty com-
panies attending the Lord Mayor's Banquet in 1531.
• Cal S.P. Dotn., 4 Feb. 1632.
■ Ibid., 17 June 1631. I am indebted to Mr. E. A.
Ebblewhite for drawing my attention to the significance of
this fact.
INTRODUCTION xxxv
referred to Sir Henry Marten, the Judge of the
Admiralty, who reported to the Admiralty that
' these London Shipwrights, being supported by
the countenance of the City, will by no means agree
to come under the King's Charter and govern-
ment, and to that purpose are resolved to oppose
themselves by further proceedings at law/ ^ The
case was referred back to him by the Admiralty
with the remark that * You have long been
acquainted with the said business and know of
what importance it is to have the shipwrights
kept under government, which was the ground of
the grant made to the Company at Rotherhithe/ ^
Marten finally advised the Admiralty not to
grant their request, ' it being a business so much
importing the general good of the kingdom that
all shipwrights should live under a uniform
government, as now regulated by the King's
charter,' ^ and the two recalcitrants were com-
mitted to the Marshalsea, where they made their
submission. Nevertheless, in Oct. 1638 the matter
was again brought up, coming before the newly
appointed Lord High Admiral upon a petition
from the City Company, and by an Order
in Council of March 1639 that Company was
exempted from the jurisdiction of the ' New
Corporation of the Suburbs,' although, in view
of the fact that 'the said Corporation of ship-
wrights is of so great importance for the defence
of the Kingdom and is dispersed not in the
suburbs only but over the whole Kingdom of
England,' it was declared ' that this exception
. . . ought to be no encouragement to any other
Society or Trade or particular persons to with-
draw their obedience to the said new Corporation
^ Cal. S,P. Dom., 30 June 1637.
» IHd., 10 July 1637. » Ihid., 26 July 1637.
xxxvi INTRODUCTION
or to make suit for the like exemption, which in
no sort will be granted.' ^
The City had won ; fine words, whether in
a Royal Charter or an Order in Council, were of
little use without the consistent support of the
authorities, and this the unfortunate Corporation
never received. The attempt of the Ipswich
Shipwrights in 1621 to secure its dissolution failed,
but upon the motion of their member against
the * Patent of the Ship-carpenters who impose
exceedingly upon builders of ships,' the House of
Commons ordered that the Corporation should
not demand or receive any more money by virtue
of their patent until it had been brought to the
Committee of Grievances and further order been
taken therein by the House. ^
Less drastic attacks on the privileges of the
Company frequently succeeded. The exemption
from ' land service ' was ignored by the Earl
Marshal and the Lord Admiral in 1628. In 1631
the King's Bench indirectly curtailed its powers by
prohibiting the Lord High Admiral from proceed-
mg in matters relating to freight, wages, and the
building of ships ; and two years later prohibited
the Company from using its powers of arresting
ships, thereby preventing the Company from
getting ' their suits decided in a speedy way in
the Court of Admiralty ' and compelling them to
' contend with the master, who, proving poor and
litigious, all that the (Company) can get, after
long suit, is but the imprisonment of his body.' '
The East Country merchants also opposed its
trading privileges, and in 1634 the Company
found it necessary to appeal to the Admiralty
1 Council Register, No. 50.
2 Commons Journal, i. 563.
» Cal. S. P. Dom, January 21, 1633.
INTRODUCTION xxxvii
for assistance in carrying out its powers in
regard to the search and survey of ships, and
the regulation of apprentices. In 1635, when
Peter Pett was Master, the difficulties of collect-
ing the dues of the shipwrights and the * tonnage
and poundage ' granted for the support of the
Corporation and its poor, became more acute
than ever. After much argument and reference
to Sir Henry Marten, the Master, Wardens and
Assistants were told, in 1638, ' to cause their
charters to be published and put in execution,'
while the * Vice- Admirals, Mayors and other
Officers ' were charged to assist them. In 1641
the right of freedom from impressment and from
attendance on juries was again in question, and
although the decision of the Lord Admiral was
then favourable the troubles of the Company still
continued, for in January 1642 they were petition-
ing the Commons for relief.
In March 1645 an Ordinance to protect the
Shipwrights from impressment for land service
' on account of the importance of their trade and
the decrease of qualified workmen,' was presented
to the Lords by Warwick, the Lord High Admiral,
and was approved by them and passed on to the
Commons for concurrence, but it does not appear
to have been read.^
In August of the following year, Warwick
again reported from the Committee of the Admir-
alty to the Lords a ' Report and Ordinance con-
cerning the better building of ships and granting
privileges to the Shipwrights and Caulkers to be
freed from Land Service,' elsewhere described as
an ' Ordinance for the better regulation of the
Mystery and Corporation of Shipwrights.' This
» Lords' Journal, vii. 286. Hist. MSS., Sixth Report,
P-5I.
xxxviii INTRODUCTION
was agreed to and sent to the Commons, who
read it a first time and ordered it to be read a
second time ' on Thursday next come Sevennight/
and then dropped it.
In the meantime the Clerk and other officials
of the Company, whose pay was much in arrear,
were petitioning the House to take such action
wdth the Company as would force it to meet their
claims, while the Master and Wardens were
complaining of individual refusals to pay assess-
ments due to the Company.^ This state of affairs
was still in evidence in 1648, when Edward Keling,
the Clerk, and the existing and late Beadles of
the Company, petitioned the Lords for relief,
and asked * that the pubhc instruments entrusted
to KeHng may be disposed of and he be indemni-
fied for them/ The statement of the Wardens
annexed thereto ^ explains the situation as follows :
The Wardens had
consented to pay the established duties of the Corporation
as directed by Order of the House, but Peter Pett and
other principal members, and great dealers in that
mystery, withhold and refuse to pay the duties for support
of the Corporation, and so the Wardens have not the
means to pay the salaries of their ofificers, or their house
rent, to relieve the poor, to make their due surveys
upon ships, or to pursue an ordinance for settlement
of their government which passed the House of Peers
eighteen months ago, and now remains in the House of
Commons.
In June 1650 the difficulties of the Company
were evidently still unreHeved, for a petition
from them, together with their Charter, was re-
ferred by the Council of State to the Committee
* Lords' Journals, viii. 232, 286 ; x. 403.
* Hist, MSS., Seventh Report, p. 40.
INT ROD UCTION xxxix
of the Admiralty, who were to advise with the
Admiralty Judges on the matter. The result of
this does not appear, but it seems probable that the
Corporation shortly after ceased to exercise its func-
tions, for a petition to the Navy Commissioners
in 1672 (which shows the same old difficulties
still unremedied) refers to ' the discontinuance of
the exercise of this Charter in the late troublesome
times.' ^
During the earlier years of its activity the
Corporation played a part of some importance
in the administration of the Navy. It surveyed
and reported upon the workmanship and tonnage
of ships built in the royal yards, and gave advice
concerning their defects — thus acting to some
extent as a check upon the master shipwrights —
and notices of the sale of unserviceable ships were
given out at Shipwrights' Hall as well as on the
Exchange. In one instance * it was called upon
to submit a scheme ' for the mould of a ship like
to prove swiftest of sail and every way best
fashioned for a ship of war,' but this attempt to
erect it into a board of design seems to have failed
completely.
In 1683 the Corporation attempted to set its
affairs on a more satisfactory basis by obtaining
a new charter, surrendering the charter of 161 2
in October 1684 ^ and obtaining in January 1686
a warrant from James II. to renew it with ad-
ditions. This was opposed by its old enemies,
and nothing seems to have come of it, although
the matter was under discussion until 1688, and
the Masters of Trinity House in 1687, in a report
» Cal S.P. Dom., 25 July 1672.
* By the Commissioners for inquiring into the State of
the Navy. Cal. S.P. Dom., 22 Feb. 1627.
^ Bodleian, Rawlinson MSS. A 177.
xl INTRODUCTION
to Pepys, had recommended that there shotild be
but one Company of Shipwrights, and that aU of
that trade in England should be under their rule
and government. The Corporation appears then
to have become practically extinct, for in a report
by the Navy Office, in 1690, on the method of
measuring ships reference is made to the * measure-
ment and calculations . . . formerly taken and
made by the Corporation of shipwrights (when
there was such a company).' ^
In 1691 2 and 1704 the remnants of the Cor-
poration made a final attempt at reconstruction,
backed by the Admiralty, Navy Board, and Trinity
House. A petition to this end came before the
House of Commons in January 1705, and is re-
corded in the Journal ^ of the House in the
following terms :
A Petition of the Master Shipwrights (who signed
the same) in behalf of themselves and others, Master
Shipwrights of England, was presented to the House
and read : setting forth that the petitioners' predecessors
were incorporated by charter in 1605, and were thereby
empowered to rectify the disorders and abuses of the Ship-
wrights' Trade, and to furnish the Crown and Merchants
with able workmen, and to bind and enrol their appren-
tices ; but the breed of able workmen is almost lost, and
for want of sufficient power to execute the good intent of
their charter, the petitioners have not been in a regular
method many years past to rectify the disorders amongst
the shipwrights and to improve their trade ; yet a
Proposal of some additional heads to effect the same
has been approved, and reported by the Commissioners
of the Admiralty, Commissioners of the Navy, Corpora-
tion of Trinity House ; and also his Royal Highness,*
» Cal. S.P. Dom., 21 Aug. 1690.
* See Sutherland, Britain's Glory, or Shiphuilding Unvail'd,
p. 70. ' Vol. xiv. p. 482.
* Prince George of Denmark, then Lord High Admiral.
INTRODUCTION xli
the 7th Nov. 1704, declares his opinion that it will be
much for the public service to have the shipwrights
incorporated by Charter, as desired by them ; but in the
said proposal there are some necessary clauses which
cannot be made practicable and effectual without an
Act of Parliament : and praying that leave be given to
bring in a Bill, of regulating clauses, to be inserted in a
new charter for the better breeding of Shipwrights and
for the more firm and well building of ships and other
vessels.
The motion to refer it to a Committee was
lost, and thus went out the last spark of life of
a Corporation that had struggled in vain for a
hundred years to carry out the intentions of its
founders.
xlii INTRODUCTION
2. — TAe Family of Pett.
When Thomas Hey wood, in his description of the
Sovereign of the Seas written in 1637, referred to
the author of this manuscript as ' Captain Phineas
Pett, overseer of the work, and one of the principal
officers of his Majesty's navy, whose ancestors,
as father, grandfather, and great-grandfather,
for the space of two hundred years and upwards,
have continued in the same name officers and
architects in the Royal Navy,' he was, it may be
presumed; recording the local tradition of the
Pett family. That this tradition was strong and
persistent is clear from the fact that Mansell,
writing to Thomas Aylesbury ^ in 1620 to propose
Peter Pett as builder of the new pinnaces, re-
commended him on the ground that * his family
have had the employment since Henry the
Seventh's time,' while forty years later, Fuller,
in his * Worthies of England,' also referred to
it in these words : ' I am credibly informed that
that Mystery of Shipwrights for some descents
hath been preserved successfully in Families, of
whom the Petts about Chatham are of singular
regard.'
This tradition, so far as it relates to the
descent of the * mystery ' from generation to
generation, was no doubt well founded, but there
is no evidence that office under the Crown was
held by any of Phineas Pett's ancestors earlier
than his father, Peter.
The name * Pett ' is said by a modern writer
* Bodleian. Clarendon State Papers, No. 166.
INTRODUCTION xliii
on the history of EngHsh surnames to be a Kentish
variant of the name 'Pitt.' This would imply a
Kentish origin of the family, and this supposition
might seem to be strengthened by the fact that
the name, as a place-name, only occurs in Kent
and on the eastern border of Sussex.^
The fact is, however, that 'pet' is simply a
Middle-English variant of the familiar word
' pit,' kin to the old Frisian ' pet,' and is found
in use throughout the east coast counties from
Sussex to Yorkshire, but more frequently in the
South than in the North. In the 13th and 14th
centuries this surname occurs in the form * atte
Pet ' or ' del Pet ' ; i.e. ' at the pit ' or ' of the
pit,' ^ which indicates clearly that the bearers
had, on the introduction of the hereditary surname
from the 12th century onward, taken the name
' Pet ' — or had it thrust upon them — ^because
they were known as living near to a pit, and
were thereby distinguished from other Walters
or Adams dwelling on the heath or by the wood
etc. etc. A study of the local distribution of
this name in the 14th century shows that the pit
in question, though it may occasionally have
been a well, a sawpit, or a pitfall for wild beasts,
was more usually a place where, owing to the
absence of stone from the district, clay or loam
had been dug in forming the walls of the rude
cottages in which all but the upper strata of
society then dwelt. Thus one great centre of the
* E.g, Pett Place near Charing ■ Pett near Stockbury ;
Pett Street near Wye and Pett village near Winchelsea.
* E.g. Geoffrey del Pet, 1270, see Rye, Cal. of Feet of Fines
for Suffolk. * Walter de le Pet ' (of Wattisfield), see Powell, A
Suffolk Hundred in the year 1283 « * Adam atte Pet ' (of
Stonham Aspul), * William del Pet' (of Wattisfield), see
Hervey, Suffolk in 1327 ; * Peter atte Pette of Shorn ' (Kent)
in Close Roll 1344.
xUv INTRODUCTION
Petts in Suffolk in the 13th and 14th centuries,
the district between Thetford and Eye, is a
heavy clayland from which stone is absent.^
By the end of the i6th century this name, in the
form ' Pet,' ' Pett,' and ' Pette ' was common
in Kent, Essex, Suffolk, and South Norfolk.
In 1583, Peter Pett, then Master Shipwright
at Deptford, obtained a grant of arms from
Herald's College. The original has unfortunately
disappeared, but from the reference to it in Le
Neve's ' Pedigree of the Knights ' ^ it appears
that he claimed descent from ' Thomas Pett of
Skipton in Cumberland ' through John Pett his
grandfather and Peter Pett his father, who had
been a shipbuilder at Harwich. The fact that
there is no Skipton in Cumberland shows that
this record is hardly reliable as regards the place
of origin of the family. Neither of the existing
Skiptons,^ which are both in Yorkshire, remote
from the sea, is likely to have given birth to a
family of shipbuilders ; and there is no indication
that any relations of the Petts were at any time
resident in Yorkshire or Cumberland. Moreover,
the name was practically unknown at this period
in the North.** In an attempt to elucidate this
matter. Major Bertram Raves put forward in
the ' Mariner's Mirror ' ^ the suggestion * that
Thomas Pett was of Hopton,^ in Suffolk, and that
^ Mr. Redstone informs me that to this day large blocks
of loam and clay are squared off in the pits of Rickinghall
to form house walls. ' Printed by the Harleian Society.
^ Skipton in Craven in the W. Riding and Skipton upon
Swale in the N. Riding.
* I have only discovered one early instance of the name
in Yorkshire, * Ralph Pet ' who lived in the ' Honor and Forest
of Pickering ' in 1314, and this, it may be observed, was on
the sea coast. * April 1912, p. 124.
• S.E. of Thetford : not the Hopton in East Suffolk.
INTRODUCTION xlv
Hopton was fudged into Skipton by the Tudor
Heralds in the grant of arms to Peter Pett. . . .
Petts about or near to Hopton at the time were
yeomen or husbandmen. . . . The pedigree may,
therefore, have seemed to need treatment.' He
then goes on to show that Petts were estabhshed
in the neighbouring villages of Hepwortli^ Wattis-
field, Harling, and Walsham-le-Willows ; the
Petts at Wattisfield having been in the neigh-
bourhood since the 14th century.^ One significant
fact is the letter which Peter Pett, the half-brother
of Phineas, wrote to Sir Bassingbourn Gawdy ^
of Harling, in 1598, in which he apologises for
his delay in visiting him and sends his remem-
brances to Lady Gawdy and others : it is clear
from this letter that Peter was well known in the
neighbourhood, and was, it may be presumed,
related to the Thomas Pett living there at that
time.
But it seems very doubtful whether Skipton
really was a wilful substitution for, or a mis-
transcription of, an original ' Hopton,' for there
is no evidence that anyone of the name ever
lived at Hopton, and it seems possible that some
earlier Pett may have migrated to Yorkshire
and his descendant John have returned to East
Anglia.3
Of Thomas Pett nothing is known ; and of
John his son nothing can be stated with certainty.
* They were already there in the 13th ; see note on
p. xliii.
2 Gawdy MSS. {Hist. MSS.) 405 ; what appears to be
Pett's draft of this letter is to be found in Egerlon MS. 2713.
« It is also possible that Thomas of Skipton did not
bear the surname ' Pett.' According to Bardsley, Curiosities
of Puritan Nomenclature, p. 3, ' Among the middle and lower
classes these (descriptive surnames) did not become hereditary
till so late as 1450 or 1500.'
xlvi INTRODUCTION
In 1497 William Pette of Dunwich left by will *
' to my brother John Pette, my new boat and
all my working tools ' ; a legacy that impHes
that the brothers were shipwrights. It is not
improbable that this was the John Pett who was
engaged in caulking the Regent in 1499. From
the entry in the Roll * it is clear that John was
a master workman or shipbuilder ; for the sum
paid him, 38/. is. ^d., is a fairly large amount
for that period, and covered miscellaneous stores
besides the caulking of the ' overlop ' or deck,
and the sides of the ship 'against wind and
water.' Unfortunately his account, ' billam suam
inde factam/ is no longer in existence. This
work was possibly carried out at Portsmouth,
where the Regent had been fitted for the Ex-
pedition to Scotland in 1497,' and where she was
again undergoing repair in 1501,* but there
would have been nothing unusual at that period,
when the resources of the Portsmouth district
were hardly sufficient, in entrusting such work
to a shipbuilder from the eastern counties. In
1485 a master shipwright had been sent from
London to Bursledon to superintend the removal
of the mast of the Grace Dieu and her entry
into dock,^ and shipwrights were frequently im-
* Ipswich Probate Court Bk. III. f. 202.
* Ac xxxviijZi. xvj^. tarn super novas iact' (? jacturas)
et le calkynge de le Overlope navis regis vocatae le Regent
quam pro le calkynge anti ventum et aquam ejusdem navis
ac aliis necessariis pro eadem nave fiendis et providendis per
manus Johannis Pett ut prius per billam suam inde factam
plenius apparet datam xiij die Novembris A° xv^ Regis
Henrici vij">°-. P.R.O. E. 405 (80).
* Naval Accounts and Inventories of Henry VII., N.R.S.,
Vol. viii.
« P.R.O. Augmentation Office Misc. Bk., 317, f. 236.
» N.R.S., vol. viii. pp. liv, 222.
INTRODUCTION xlvii
pressed from East Anglia for work in Portsmouth
and Southampton. The work may, however, have
been carried out at Harwich, where the King's
ships sometimes rode.^
With Peter, the son of John, we come at
length upon sure ground. The will he made in
March 1554 is upon record, and shows that he
was possessed of a dwelling-house and ship-
building yard at Harwich, which he bequeathed
to his son Peter, the father of Phineas. Possibly
he was the Peter Pett noted by Mr. Oppenheim ^
as among the shipwrights pressed from Essex
and Suffolk working at Portsmouth in 1523 :
there can be no doubt that he was the Peter Pett
of Harwich who, with other shipwrights, signed a
decree of appraisement of a ship in 1540.^
His son Peter Pett, who died in 1589 when
Master Shipwright at Deptford, entered the royal
service some time before 1544, as already noted.
There is no record of the names of the earlier
ships built by him, but it is known that in 1573
he built the Swiftsure and Achates, and in 1586
the Moon and Rainbow ; all at Deptford. At
the time of his death in 1589 he was engaged
upon the Defiance and Advantage, which were
completed by Joseph Pett, his second and eldest
surviving son, who, as already remarked, succeeded
to his place as Master Shipwright, his eldest son
William Pett of Limehouse, also a Master Ship-
wright, who built the Greyhound in 1586, having
* In 1487, Thomas Rogers, clerk of the King^s ships,
was paid xxvis. viij^. for his expenses in going to Harwich,
and victualling the King's ships there. See Material Illustra-
tive of the Reign of Henry VII, vol. ii. p. 143.
* Administration, p. 74.
» P.R.O., H.C.A. 7 (i), ' probos viros Petmm Pette et
Johannem Moptye villae Harewici {and two others) fabros
lignarios, anglice shipwrights.'
xlviii INTRODUCTION
died in 1587. Peter Pett was twice married, and
had four sons and one daughter by his first wife,
whose name is not known ; and six daughters
and three sons (of whom Phineas was the eldest)
by his second wife, Ehzabeth Thornton. These
will be found set forth in the subjoined tables,
which will serve to illustrate the relationship
between them and the other members of the
family referred to in the manuscript.
Peter Pett, towards the end of his life, had
achieved a great reputation as a shipbuilder and
was, as is evident from his will, a man of con-
siderable means. He died possessed of a house
at Harwich, where he had also built almshouses ;
a house at Deptford ; land at Prating, near
Colchester ; the lease of a house at Chatham ;
and ' ground ' — presumably a shipbuilding yard —
at Wapping. In addition to this property, he
left 20/. to the children of his son Richard ; *
61. 13s. 4d. to the child of his daughter Lydia ;
100/. each to Phineas and his brothers Noah and
Peter ; and 100 marks to each of his four daughters
by his second wife and to an unborn child that
probably did not live. The payments to the
children of his second wife were to be made on
their attaining the age of twenty-four, but from
the statements of Phineas on pages 12 and 13 it
would appear that part of the money was em-
bezzled by the Rev. Mr. Nunn and part retained
by Phineas' brother Joseph.
Peter Pett, of Wapping, the third son of the
above, carried on business as a shipbuilder in the
private yard at Wapping which had been left to
» Richard Pett of London, gent, (elsewhere described as
' unus valettorum regis ') in 1593 sold his share of the
property at Deptford to his brother Peter Pett, of Wapping.
This property had been bought by his father in 1566.
INTRODUCTION xlix
him by his father. He does not appear to have
held any office under the Crown, but seems to
have been well known to the Lord High Admiral,
for in his letter above referred to he puts off his
visit to Gawdy on the ground that he has to be
'next Sunday with the Earl of Nottingham at
the Court at Richmond/ In 1599 he published
a poem entitled ' Time's Journey to seeke his
Daughter Truth ; and Truth's Letter to Fame of
England's Excellencie,* which he dedicated to
Nottingham. He was also the author of a sonnet
in three stanzas of seven' lines entitled *A11
Creatures praise God.' ^
It is not necessary for our present purpose
to pursue the fortunes of this family further, but
the reader who is desirous of obtaining informa-
tion as to the later descendants of Peter Pett of
Harwich will find it in an excellent paper in
vol. X. of the ' Ancestor,' by Mr. Farnham Burke
and Mr. Oswald Barron, entitled 'The Builders
of the Navy : a Genealogy of the Family of Pett.' «
* Printed by the Parker Society in Select Poetry, vol. il.
p. 386.
» The following errors may be noted : p. 149, the name
* Marcy ' should be ' March ' ; p. 151, the William Pett who
petitioned the Admiralty in 1631, was not the son of Joseph
but a much older man, apparently belonging to another branch
of the family ; p. 157, the dates of the death of Phineas' second
wife and of his third marriage are antedated by a year ;
p. 158, the date * July ' was an error of the Harl. transcriber ;
the dates of birth and death of Phineas, junior, are incorrect j
p. 172, Joseph Pett of Chatham was not the son of Phineas,
but of Joseph of Limehouse, and he was born in 1592 not
1608.
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lii INTRODUCTION
3. — Phineas Pett.
From the care that had been taken to provide
for his education, and from the fact that it was
only at the * instant persuasion ' of his
Education, mother that he was * contented ' to be
apprenticed as a shipwright, it may be
inferred that Phineas had been destined for
the Church or the Law, and that Peter Pett did
not propose that his son should follow in his
own footsteps. The peculiarity ^ of the name
chosen for him (which no doubt refers, not to
the disobedient son of Eli, but to ' Phinehas,
the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest,'
who received ' the covenant of an everlasting
priesthood ') ^ gives rise to the surmise that his
parents had intended him for the Church, but
whatever the intention may have been, it was
certainly abandoned on the death of his father.
Phineas does not seem to have profited greatly
from his studies at Cambridge. He was hardly a
master of English ; possibly he had a good know-
ledge of Latin, for the influence of the Latin
idiom is to be seen in almost all his periods ; but
the fact that he had subsequently to practise
' cyphering ' in the evenings does not imply
any great acquirements in mathematics, even of
the very elementary forms which at that period
were sufficient for the solution of the few problems
arising in connection with the design of ships.
* * The rage for Bible names dates from the decade 1560-
1570, which decade marks the rise of Puritanism.' — Bardsley,
Curiosities oj Puritan Nomenclature, p. 39.
? Numbers xxvi. 11-13.
INTRODUCTION liii
Nevertheless, he received the degree of Bachelor
of Arts in 1592 and that of Master in 1595.
If the statement that he spent the two years
of his apprenticeship to Chapman ' to very little
purpose * is to be accepted literally, it would
seem that the misfortunes that subsequently
befell him must have aroused latent energies and
filled him with determination to master the
details of his future profession when he returned
to England in 1594. His voyage to the Levant
and subsequent employment as an ordinary
workman under his brother Joseph no doubt
gave him a practical acquaintance with ships
that enabled him to profit greatly by the in-
struction of Mathew Baker, although apparently
this only extended over the winter of 1595-6.
Pett's confession that it was from Baker that
he received his ' greatest lights,' written, as it
must have been, after he had found Baker an
* envious enemy ' and an ' old adversary to my
name and family,' indicates how great that assist-
ance was. This is borne out by a letter ^ which
he wrote to Baker in April 1603, in order to
deprecate the old man's wrath, w^hich had been
aroused when Phineas, then Assistant Master Ship-
wright at Chatham, commenced work on the
Answer. The letter was partially destroyed by
the fire which damaged the Cottonian Library in
1731, but fortunately Pepys had copied it in his
Miscellanea .2
Sir, — My duty remembered unto you. It is so that
I received a message from you by Richard Meritt, the
purveyor, concerning the Answer, who gave me to under-
stand from you that you were informed I meant to break
■ :;:! ^ Cott. MSS., Otho E. vii. fol. 155.
* Misc. X. 353. There are errors in this transcript, which
3 been corrected, so far as possible, from the original.
liv INTRODUCTION
up the ship and to lengthen, and that I should no further
proceed till I received further order from you. Indeed
the ship was heaved up by general consent, both of my
Lord, some of the Principal Officers, and two of the
Master Shipwrights which were here present at the
time she was begun to be hauled up, no determination
being resolved upon what should be done unto her ; for
which cause (other haste of businesses also being some
hindrance) she hath lain still ever since, till now that it
pleased Sir Henr}^ Palmer to command she should be
blocked and searched within board only, and so let
alone, partly because our men wanting stuff to perfect
other businesses had little else to do, as also to the intent
she might be made ready to be the better viewed and sur-
veyed lying upright, being somewhat also easier for the
ship. This is now done, but I ensure you there was no
intent or other purpose to proceed in anything upon her
any further till the Master Shipwrights, especially yourself
who built her, had first surveyed her, and under your
hands set down what should be done unto her ; and
therefore, good Mr. Baker, do not give so much credit to
those that out of their malice do advertise you untruth con-
cerning either this or any other matter, for it is supposed
by whom this hath been done, and he is generally thought
to be no other than an Ambodexter ^ or rather a flat
sheet,^ being so far off from either procuring credit to
himself by due execution of his place and discharge of
his duty, that like Aesop's Dog he doth malice any other
that is willing to give him precedent of better course
than all men can sufficiently in this place report himself
to follow. And for myself it is so sure ^ from me to under-
stand anything that you should think any ways prejudi-
cial unto you, or to any of your works, that you shall
always rather find me dutiful as a servant to follow your
directions and instructions in any of these businesses, than
arrogant as a prescriber or corrector of anything done
* Double-dealer ; probably he refers to Bright.
• MS. ' fiattsheate.' Pepys has transcribed this ' flat
cheat.'
' Sic in transcript, probably^' far.'
INTRODUCTION Iv
by you, whose ever memorable works I set before me
as a notable precedent and pattern to direct me in any
work that I do at any time undertake, and you yourself
can say, setting private jars aside, which I hope are all
now at a final end, but that I ever both reverenced you
for your years and admired you for your Art, in the which
I know (to speak without flattery) no Artist in Chris-
tendom of our profession able in any respect to come
near you. Therefore, good Mr. Baker, carry but that lov-
ing mind towards me as you shall find my loving duty to
you to deserve, who you shall find always as ready to do
you any service, either in this place or any other, as any
servant of yours whatsoever, among whose rank I
account myself one of the unworthiest, for although I
served no years in your service, yet I must ever acknow-
ledge whatever I have of any art (if I have any) it
came only from you. Thus hoping this shall suffice to
give you satisfaction in this behalf, 1 humbly take my
leave, ever resting ready to do you service.
Chatham this lo April, 1603.
Your Servant,
Phineas Pett.
To the worshipful and my loving friend Mr. Mathew
Baker, one of his Majesty's Master Shipwrights, give
this at Woolwich or elsewhere.
This expression of opinion upon Baker's
capacity was evidently quite genuine, for many
years after, v^hen the old man was dead and
there was nothing to be feared from his enmity,
Phineas wrote of him as * the most famous artist
of his time.* ^
Phineas did not rely on his professional
skill alone to gain him preferment. When in
his brother Joseph's employment, he
ment.^' ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ earnings in clothing him-
self 'in very good fashion, always
endeavouring to keep company with men of good
» Cal. S,P. Dom., 26 Feb. 1626.
Ivi INTRODUCTION
rank, far better than myself/ By means of a
friend thus gained, he obtained an introduction
to the Lord Admiral, which was ' the very first
beginning ' of his rising. No doubt Nottingham
had known his father, and it is certain that he
was well acquainted with his brother Peter ;
it is probably to this that the ' extraordinary
respect ' and the later favours of the Admiral
were due. These favours brought upon him
the ' malicious envy ' of the Master Shipwrights,
who were no doubt aggrieved at seeing employ-
ment that might have provided them or their
friends with ' pickings,' handed to a newcomer.
The post of a purveyor of timber was not
without its perquisites, and Pett's thankfulness
that * nothing could be proved against him '
when the accounts of his doings in Suffolk and
Norfolk were scrutinised, indicates that his labours
had not been without some profit to himself ;
indeed his association with Trevor, who became
an able disciple of the arch-thief Mansell, leads
one to suspect that Fulke Greville's action in
' wrongfully ' cutting off twenty pounds was
not the high-handed injustice that Phineas would
have one beheve. It is true that Mr. Oppenheim ^
dates the ' administrative degeneracy ' of the
Navy Office from Greville's treasurership, but it
is probable that this arose from Greville's incapa-
city to exercise the strict control which had
characterised his predecessor Hawkyns, and not
from want of integrity. Three years later Phineas
affirms that Greville continued his * heavy enemy '
because the Treasurer could not win him ' to
such conditions as he laboured me in ' against
the Surveyor, a state of affairs that seems to
indicate a half-hearted attempt at reform on
* Monson Tracts, ii. 140.
INTRODUCTION Ivii
Greville's part, rather than any underhand con-
spiracy.
In an anonymous account of the quarrel at
Chatham in 1602 preserved in Pepys* Miscellanea/
written evidently by George Collins, ' the principal
informer and stirrer in this business,' ^ it is stated
that the writer told Sir Henry Palmer that Pett
had sold away the Repulse's foretopmast, and that
through his negligence the Crane was bilged in the Dock,
which cost the Queen looZ.
whereupon Palmer called him a rogue, and asked
him if he never stole anything, and then sttuck
him with a cudgel ;
and no wonder ! though Sir Henry took his part so much,
for in six weeks after he had great masts sawed out into
boards at the Queen's charge, a long boat full, and towed
down to Whitechapel by Boatswain Vale, or his man,
at a ketch's stern.
At the term after, 1 served Phineas Pett upon a
battery, and Sir John and Sir Henry procured my Lord
Admiral's warrant to send me to the Marshalsea. But
that I paid well for it in Mr. Pope's house I had gone
thither ; and so was forced to agree with Phineas and
to enter into bond never to follow suit against him,
neither for the King nor yet for myself.'
The writer then goes on to give instances of
Pett's misappropriations of materials and labour ;
four tons of elm timber sawn into boards ; fifty
1 MiscelL, vol. x. pp. 257-262 : A large and particular
complaint against Phineas Pett relating to abuses in the Navy
about the end of the Queen's and beginning of King James's
Reign. Cf. Dr. Tanner's Introduction in Hollond's Discourses
of the Navy (N.R.S., vol. vii.). What is probably the same
account is calendared by the Hist. MSS. Commission (Coke
MSS, vol. i. p. 36) as '^^^^j^^^^ JJjaUegations by George
Colyson of abstraction of sea stores, and other frauds by
Phineas Pett.' * Infra, p. 18.
Iviii INTRODUCTION
deals from the storehouse ; fifty small spars ;
two four-inch planks to make a bridge into his
meadow ; labour for two or three days ; a sluice
made in the meadow at a cost of 3/. or 4/. ; two
or three tons of oak timber sawn into posts to
hang clothes on and painted at the Queen's cost.
Although the writer has an obvious grievance
against Pett, there seems no reason to doubt the
substantial accuracy of the charges made.
One of the gravest indictments subsequently
brought by the Commission of Inquiry of 1608-
1609 against Phineas was that relating
Resistance, to the ship which he had laid down in
and the David Duck's private yard at Gilling-
voyageto j^g^m in 1604, when both he and Duck
^^°* were shipwrights at Chatham. From
the account of it presented by Phineas ^ it might
be supposed that the charge related merely to
the sale of ordnance and ammunition to the
Spaniards, but the malpractices alleged went
much further than that ; and, although Pett was
cleared by the King, an examination of the evidence
produced before the Commission leads to the
conclusion that ' those scandalous and false in-
formations * might have led to very unpleasant
results if the King had not been biased in his
favour. The story, as made out from the existing
documents,' is briefly as follows :
The ship — a small one of about i6o tons —
had been built largely of timber delivered * for
the King's use at Chatham ' and with articles
* borrowed out of the store,* under warrant of
* Injra, p. 70.
* Cott. MSS., Julius F. Ill — ^the depositions of Pett
and various witnesses ; S.P.D. James I, xxxi. 51 — memo-
randum drawn up from the above ; S.P.D. James I, xli. —
report of the Conmiission, drawn up by Sir Robert Cotton,
with analytical draft and notes attached.
INTRODUCTION lix
the Principal Officers, two of whom, Mansell
and Trevor, subsequently had shares in her.
She was rigged ' with the rigging of the Foresight,
which for bare 12 L only he bought out of her '
at much less than the value, by the favour of the
Surveyor (Trevor) and the Treasurer (Mansell),
so that ' she was sailed with the King's sails
and rigged with the King's tackhng/ When
she set sail for Spain in 1605 ' under colour of a
transporter of my Lord Admiral's provisions,*
she was furnished out of the King's store with
cables, anchors, flags, pitch, and other stores and
provisions, including 600 cwt. of biscuit. She
also drew 120 bolts of canvas for the use of the
fleet, part of which was sold by Pett's brother,
and for the whole of which Phineas acknowledged
himself responsible. Although taken up as a
transport and paid wages and tonnage (on a
false rating of 300 tons, about twice her capacity)
she was entered in the Customs as a merchant-
man bound for San Lucar, and carried 60 tons of
lead for a merchant of London named Alabaster,
for which 60L was received as freight. At Lisbon
Pett sold a demi-culverin of brass, captured at
Cadiz in 1596, with ammunition and a quantity
of bread, biscuit, and peas belonging to the fleet,
for which he received 300/., which he sent, ' by
the way of exchange,' to Trevor and Mansell,
then at Valladolid ^ with Nottingham, who had
gone there to ratify the peace recently concluded
between the two countries. Altogether, the
voyage of this ship cost the King ' 800/. or 1000/.,
as appeareth by the accounts, for little or no
service done at all.'
As regards the money sent to Valladolid, it
is probable that this was used in paying some
of the expenses of the embassy, and that this
* The capital of Spain from 1601 to 1606.
^
Ix INTRODUCTION
proceeding had the sanction of Nottingham; but
Pett's answers before the Commission to some
of the other charges, as given in his signed
deposition of 12th May 1608, seem rather weak.
He stated that the * riggings * of the Foresight
were ' found to be so ill that they stood him in
little or no stead/ that the accounts for the
provisions were delivered to Sir John Trevor
and no copies had been kept, and, by a convenient
lapse of memory, he could not say what persons
or stuff were landed at the Groyne * nor what
burden the ship was accounted for to the King.'
When asked by Captain Morgan to set him down
on the east side of the Groyne, he was alleged
to have said that ' he could not adventure the
ship by his directions for that she was no part
of the fleet,' in reply to which allegation he
swore that to the best of his recollection no such
words were ever used. It appears from the
evidence that Sir Richard Leveson had refused
to allow the ship as one of the fleet, but he had
died shortly after the return to England, and
after his death Mansell and Trevor, ' assuming
full power into their own hands,' had reversed
the decision. One reason given by Pett for
visiting ports other than that to which the fleet
had gone is of interest ; he told the Commission
that he had been informed by Trevor and Mansell
that the biscuit would not be needed for the
fleet * by reason of the short voyage my Lord
Admiral had into Spain,' and he was to go to
Lisbon or San Lucar to sell it, ' and that they
reported as from my Lord Admiral that because
this deponent was a shipwright he might in the
harbours where he should put in take view of
the Spanish ships and galleys and of the manner
of their building.'
INTRODUCTION Ixi
With a ship so cheaply built and rigged, and
employed on such favourable terms, it could not
have been difficult to make a handsome profit,
and it is Httle wonder that Pett calls her a 'lucky
ship ' when he tells of her sale in 1612.
The corruption in the administration of the
Navy, which had begun to appear in the last
Commis- years of EHzabeth's reign, had by 1608
sion of reached such a height that James was at
Inquiry, length forced to take some steps in regard
to it. The knowledge that Spain was actively
engaged in setting her navy in order no doubt
quickened the King into action and provided a
motive powerful enough to sweep aside for the
time the obstruction of the senile Nottingham
and his jackal Mansell. At first it had been
intended that Nottingham should head the Com-
mission, and letters patent^ were passed on
1st April 1608, in which his name appears first,
Northampton coming second, but for some reason
this was altered, and on the 30th April a com-
mission under the great seal was issued to Henry
Howard, Earl of Northampton, then Lord Privy
Seal and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports,
Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, the Lord
High Admiral, and thirteen others,* of whom Sir
Robert Cotton, the famous antiquary, was the
1 Pat, Roll, 1771.
• The names were as follows : Henry, Earl of North-
ampton ; Charles, Earl of Nottingham ; Lord Zouch ;
Lord Wotton, Comptroller of the Household ; Sir Julius
Caesar, Chancellor of the Exchequer ; Sir Thomas Parry,
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ; Sir Edward Phillips
and Sir John Doderidge, Serjeants-at-Law ; Sir Henry Hobart,
Attorney-General ; Sir Francis Bacon, Solicitor-General ;
Sir William Waade, Lieutenant of the Tower ; Sir Charles
Parkins ; Sir Robert Cotton ; Sir Thomas Crompton ; and
John Corbet t, a Clerk of the Privy Council. Pat. Roll, 1770.
Ixii INTRODUCTION
most active. Northampton, who was Notting-
ham's cousin, seems to have been the leader of
the reform party, and although he is persistently
vilified by Pett, there is little doubt that he was
actuated by a more or less sincere desire (sharpened,
possibly, by mutual antagonism between the
offices of Lord Warden and Lord High Admiral)
to reform the many existing abuses. What all
these abuses were would take too long in telling,
but they were sufficient to justify, and more than
justify, the vigorous language of the patent, which
speaks of the
* very great and intolerable abuses, deceits, frauds, cor-
ruptions, negligences, misdemeanours and offences ' that
' have been and daily are perpetrated, committed, and
done against the continual admonitions and direction
of you our High Admiral by other the officers of and
concerning our Navy Royal, and by the Clerks of the
Prick and Check, and divers other inferior officers,
ministers, soldiers, mariners, and others serving, work-
ing, or labouring in and about our said Navy.'
The patent then proceeds to give instructions for
the examination of all officials who have been
connected with the Navy since 1598 and the
investigation of their accounts,
minding that the said intolerable abuses, frauds, mis-
demeanours, and offences shall forthwith be enquired
of, the offenders therein condignly punished and also
to provide a speedy reform of the same for the time to
come.'
Possibly, at the time, James really intended
to reform the administration. Nottingham kept
out of the way, and his subordinates had an
unpleasant time while they were examined upon
their misdeeds; but in the end , James' fear of
INTRODUCTION Ixiii
Spain having passed away, he, with his usual weak-
ness, let the offenders oft with a lecture.
The Commission commenced to sit in May
1608 and sat for a little over a year, ending with
the proceedings before the King recorded on pp.
68-69 below. During this period 161 witnesses
were examined, and their signed depositions
taken. These are preserved among the manu-
scripts of Sir Robert Cotton,^ who acted as the
secretary. They were analysed by Cotton, who
drew up a lengthy report 2 in which various
abuses are set forth and proposals made for their
remedy ; the latter, as might be expected, were
duly ignored by the King. Among the offenders
cited by name, Pett appears as one of the chief,
and although the present occasion is not con-
venient for a general examination of the report
and evidence, some mention must be made of
the matters in which Pett is directly charged
with wrong-doing.
The first point made against him is that while
he was keeper of the timber store at Chatham
he had failed to reject bad timber and plank
brought in by one of the purveyors. His answer
to this was ' that Sir Henry Palmer had been
so quick with him for some of these exceptions
as he would complain no more though the
purveyors brought in faggot sticks.' He is next
charged with certain malpractices in connexion
with the Resistance, and other charges on this
account are brought against him further on ;
these have already been referred to. In a general
1 CoU. MSS., Julius F. iii.
* S.P. Dom. James I, xli. The ' book of reformation '
referred to at p. 37. Northampton also made a report direct
to the King, which deals, however, only in generaUties. — Royal
MSS. 18 A, xxxiv.
Ixiv INTRODUCTION
charge against the Master Shipwrights that, for
reasons of private gain, ships were repaired
* when they were not worth the labour nor the
charges bestowed on them,' the case of the Victory
is cited as an example :
Thus did the Victory for transportation, docking
and breaking up stand the king in four or five hundred
pounds, and yet no one part of her at this day serviceable
to any use about the building of a new as was pretended
for a colour. To conclude, though we set her at a rate
of 200/., yet it had been better absolutely for the King
to have given her away to the poor than to have been
put to the charge of bringing her from Chatham to
Woolwich, no other use having been made of her than
to furnish Phineas Pett (that was the only author of
her preservation) with fuel for the diet of those Carpenters
which he victualled.
In complaining that estimates for repair were
made blindfold, with the result that money was
spent upon old ships more than suflBcient to have
built new ones, the illustration is again drawn
from Pett's proceedings :
An instance of this art may be drawn from the King's
ship now called the Anne Royal, whose estimate being
first set down by the Master Shipwrights at 3576/., which
sum would have built another (by the judgment of those
that made the estimate) newly from the stocks of equal
burthen, doth upon her finishing by Phineas Pett (a
favourite of the chief officers) amount to full 7600/. upon
that false ground which before hath been spoken of.
A little further on, in dealing with frauds
connected with the receipt of stores, Pett is
again made the principal example :
When timber and other materials come to be received
into the stores, of the Clerk of the Check combining
closely with the deliverers to increase the quantity of
INTRODUCTION Ixv
that which is delivered some time to a third part above
true measure, which increase is shared between both,
and lots are cast upon the robe of the Redeemer.
Sir Foulke Greville, espying plainly this collusion be-
tween parties to the wrong of our great Master, sought
to prevent this play of fast and loose by adding Phineas
Pett to the Clerk of the Check at Chatham as an assistance
to take care that there might be no increase of quantities,
but all things accounted for in their true proportion in
weight and number as they were indeed, without con-
spiracy. But such was the falsehood of the party, as
having found the thief, he ran with him, thrusting himself
into [the] pack with the Clerk and the deliverer ; and
thus adding himself as an assistant indeed, not to plain
dealers as Sir Foulke Greville meant, but to filchers and
abusers, as Pett himself meant, which appears upon
examination.
In a further charge relating to the issue of
material for ships building or under repair, it
is pointed out that the Surveyor had taken
away the keys of the storehouses from the Clerk
of the Check, their proper custodian, ' and put
them into the hand of Pett his chief favourite,
who could not only take just what he liked,
* but likewise hath power to expend upon the
ships (or under that pretence) whatsoever he
thinketh good vnthout contradiction, and full
scope withal to embezzle what he list.' He is
also mentioned in connexion with the construction
and decay of the ' pale ' which should defend the
storeyard from pilferers * on the outside towards
the Thames,' and with the employment of j^ouths
and boys * that fill up numbers but work little.'
Finally he is charged with * wasteful and lavish
expense ' in repairing the ironwork of the Anne
Royal at a cost of 800/., or more than double the
amount necessary for the purpose. In the only
charge to which Pett himself refers, namely,
Ixvi INTRODUCTION
that of altering his lodgings, he is not mentioned
by name, but it is clear that all the resident
officials had added rooms to their houses at the
expense and to the detriment of the storehouses
which adjoined.
There seems little doubt that these charges
were well founded, and that Pett was acting in
collusion with his * very good friends' Mansell
and Trevor to defraud the State. It is, however,
probable that the other officers were little better,
and were only restrained by the lack of those
opportunities the possession of which thev envied
Pett.
It is clear from the remarks in the Report of
the Commission of Inquiry already quoted and
from Pett's narrative ^ that the original
Roya^'^'^ intention was to rebuild the Victory,
which had been removed from Chatham
to Woolwich in the autumn of 1606 for this
purpose. The official records do not throw any
light upon the circumstances in which this in-
tention came to be abandoned, and indeed the
Treasurer's official accounts for 1609 and 1610
preserve the fiction that the Victory was rebuilt. ^
From the story related by Phineas, it appears
that the Victory had been given by James to
Prince Henry, and that Pett was entrusted with
the task of rebuilding her because he was one of
the Prince's retainers. He then conceived the
idea of constructing a ship larger than any that
his predecessors had built, and made a model
embodying his design, which so pleased the Lord
» Pp. Ixiv and 29 et seq.
* Pipe Off. Dec. Accts. 2247. ' New Building the Victory
in dry dock at Woolwich ; ' ibid. 2248, * Shipkeepers attend-
ing the Victory, now named the Prince Royal ' ; * New
Building the Victory now named the Prince Royal.'
INTRODUCTION Ixvii
High Admiral that the King was brought to see
it, with the result that it was decided to build a
new great ship on the lines suggested by Pett.
This procedure of constructing a model to scale
from the design, for the approval of the authorities,
before starting to build the ship, is probably
the first instance of the adoption of a course
that later became customary in all cases where
a new ship represented an advance in size, or
method of construction, or embodied features not
to be found in her predecessors. Her keel was
not laid until the 20th October 1608, nearly a
year after the model had been submitted to the
King's inspection. In the meantime the Com-
mission of Inquiry had been appointed, and the
construction had not proceeded far before
questions were raised as to the correctness of
the design, the suitability of the material, and
the competence of Pett as designer and builder.
On the 15th December, Baker was examined
on the subject before the Commission. The
questions put to him related to the estimated
cost of the Prince Royal and the material used ;
the cost of the rebuilding of the Ark Royal ;
and the experience of Pett as a builder. Baker
estimated the probable cost of the Prince at
£7000, nearly twice what he had been paid for
the Merhonour.^ This estimate, although appar-
ently in excess of one given by Pett, proved
very far short of the mark, since the total cost
finally came to nearly £20,000, no less than £iz^9
being spent on decoration and carving alone.
As regards the material. Baker stated that the
* The relative dimensions were : Prince Royal — length
of keel 115 ft. ; breadth 43 ft. ; depth 18 ft. Merhonour--
length of keel no ft. ; breadth 37 ft. ; depth 17 ft. Baker
built the Merhomur by contract for £3600.
Ixviii INTRODUCTION
timber was very badly chosen, It appears that
old and unsuitable trees were selected on account
of the profit to be made by their larger * tops,*
which seem to have been one of the many per-
quisites of the officers. In preparing the timber
there was, so Baker said,
so much waste as the charge will be well near half so
much more as it needed to be to the King ; besides the
ship will be of many years less continuance serviceable
than otherwise she would have been if the timber and
plank had been well chosen, and framed in the wood.
In regard to Pett's competence :
Being asked, also by virtue of his oath, whether
Phineas Pett be a workman sufficient to be put alone in
trust upon a ship of so great charge and burthen, he
answereth that he never saw any work of his doing
whereby he should so think him sufficient for that
W'ork, but rather thinketh the contrary. Further, being
demanded what ship he knoweth or have heard the
said Pett hath built or repaired, he saith he never knew
any new ship of his building, but one of 120 tons or
thereabouts which he built by Chatham for himself,^ as
far as he knoweth, and another ship of the burthen of
223 tons he repaired,^ and a pinnace ^ for his Majesty,
which he saith was so done that after he had repaired
them they w^ere worse in condition than they were when
he took them in hand, for that they were so unservice-
able that they would bear no sail, by which default of
his they were returned from the seas into Chatham to
be new furred * to make them bear sail, so that with
^ The Resistance.
• The A nswer. He does not include the A nne Royal, which
had just been finished.
" The Moon.
• ' There are two kinds of furring, the one is after a ship
is built, to lay on another plank upon the side of her (which
is called plank upon plank). The other, which is more
eminent, and more properly furring, is to rip off the first
INTRODUCTION Ixix
his first repairing and furring of them he doubts not but
it will appear by the accompts that his workmanship
with stuff was more chargeable than a new ship of their
burthen might have been new built for, which are
enough to persuade any man that he cannot be suffi-
cient to perform the building of so great a ship when he
hath performed the reparation of a small ship so ill, as
of a good ship he made a bad.
Further, being asked what his opinion was concern-
ing the choice of the stuff, he saith it was not chosen
for the good of the King but for their own turns, and
that very little of it fit to be put into any ship, and
much less into a great ship, because it will be of no
continuance, and that he never knew Pett to make any
frame in the wood either for ship or boat, who cannot
do it, being never brought up to it ; and as for his brother
Peter Pett, who was appointed purveyor, he holdeth him
a man most simple for such a purpose, and also saith that,
though they be both unsufficient for the making of such
a frame, yet the badness of the stuff is not altogether to
be imputed to them, but to those who dispose of the
business according to their own humour.
Five days later, Bright came up for examina-
tion and was required to give ansv^ers to seventeen
questions, apparently the same as those put to
Baker. Six of them he did not answer, but
planks and to put other timbers upon the first, and so to
put on the planks upon these timbers. The occasion of it
is to make a ship bear a better sail, for when a ship is too
narrow, and the bearing either not laid out enough, or too
low, then they must make her broader, and lay her bearing
higher. They commonly fur some two or three strakes under
water and as much above, according as the ship requires,
more or less. I think in all the world there are not so many
ships furred as are in England, and it is a pity that there
is no order taken, either for the punishing of those who
build such ships, or the utter preventing of it, for it is an
infinite loss to the owners, and an utter spoiling and disgrace
to all ships that are so handled.' — Main waring, Seaman's
Dictionary, s.v. Fur,
Ixx INTRODUCTION
referred the Commissioners to the answers given
to them by Baker. His repUes to the others
were generally in corroboration of what Baker
had said, but as regards Pett's capability he
expressed no direct opinion, contenting himself
with pointing out that
the old Officers, in former times, in such great works did
place two Master Shipwrights in the building of one great
ship, as my father Mr. Bright was joined with Mr. Pett
in the building of the Elizabeth Jonas, as also in the
building of the Bear with Mr. Baker. Their reason was
that two Master Shipwrights' opinions was little enough
for the charge so great in scope as she at Woolwich will
be, but now it is carried by the favour of some of the
Officers to whom it pleaseth them ; but howsoever it is,
the charge is great for a young man to do which never
made great ship before of that burthen.
After this the matter remained in abeyance
until the end of March, when Northampton en-
listed the services of George Waymouth,
George^ who appears to have possessed a great
Way- reputation among his contemporaries for
mouth. i^.g theoretical knowledge of shipbuilding.
In 1602 Waymouth had set out, under the auspices
of the East India Company, to attempt the North-
West Passage in the Discovery, with another small
vessel, the Godspeed, but had been compelled,
through the mutiny of his crew, to abandon the
attempt, after entering the strait subsequently
known as Hudson's Strait. In 1605 he made a
short voyage of discovery in the Archangel along
the American coast. Of actual experience in
shipbuilding he seems at that time to have had
none whatever, and a perusal of his chapter on
that subject in the manuscript volume ' The
Jewell of Artes,' ^ which he presented to James
» Add'. MS. 19889.
INTRODUCTION Ixxi
in 1604, would not inspire any great confidence
in his theoretical knowledge, but fortunately other
means of judging the extent to which this know-
ledge was subsequently increased have lately pre-
sented themselves.
The chapter in * The Jewell of Artes ' consists
entirely of criticism, together with a few crude
drawings not explained in the text. These criti-
cisms are not without point, as may be seen from
the following extracts. He says :
Although the form and fashion of these our English
ships have always been, and yet are accompted to be made
by the best proportion, and fittest both for service and
burden, yet if art and diligence were to the full performed
in their buildings as they might, there should not remain
in them so many dangerous impediments as there do at
this day, which maketh me verily suppose that the one
of them, if not both, is not in such measure in our ship-
wrights as with all my heart I do wish.
A little further on, in speaking of the dis-
crepancies to be found in ships supposed to be
built from the same design, he says :
Yet could I never see two ships builded of like propor-
tion by the best and most skilful shipwrights in this
realm . . . the chiefest cause of their error is because they
trust rather to their judgment than to their art, and to
their eye than to their scale and compass.
He then, feeling, no doubt, that his want of
technical experience in shipbuilding gave him
small right to pose as a critic of the professional
builders, deprecates their censure in the following
words :
All which defects in building and many other I have
with no less careful endeavour than with the often peril
and hazard of mine own life diligently applied myself to
search and find out, even to the uttermost of my skill and
Ixxii INTRODUCTION
understanding ; and although by mine own experience I
can in this point speak as much as most seamen (I might
say as any), having been employed in this service ever
since I was able to do any, and served therein well near
four prenticeships, and having in this time borne all the
offices belonging to this trade, even from the lowest unto
the highest, yet had I rather that any other should have
taken upon them the searching and finding out of these
impediments and the laying of them open, than myself ;
but seeing that no man that ever I heard of hath hitherto,
as yet, undertaken the same, the thing being of much
importance, as it is, and the dangers so great, though
perhaps I shall be hardly censured for the same of the
shipwrights, whose want of art or diligence I therein
accuse, yet do I think it the part of every good subject
rather to seek to do good to the whole state than to fear
the displeasure of any one occupation.
In an undated paper, a copy of which is pre-
served in the Harleian MSS.,^ he further criticises
the shipwrights to the following effect :
The Shipwrights of England and of Christendom
build ships only by uncertain traditional precepts and
observations and chiefly by the deceiving aim of their
eye, where for want of skill to work by such proportions
as in Art is required and is ever certain, I have found
these defects.
(i) No shipwright is able to make two ships alike in
proportion nor qualities ; to build a ship to any desired
burden certain ; nor to propose to himself how much
water his ship shall draw until there be trial made
thereof.
(2) Ships yet built go not upright in the sea, whereby
they often lose the use of their lower tier of ordnance.
(3) They are often forced to be furred ; which is a
great charge and weakening to the ships ; this is for
want of skill to work their desired proportions.
(4) They labour and beat in the sea more than they
» Harl. MS. 309, f. 68.
INTRODUCTION Ixxiii
may be made to do ; which causeth often leaks to spring
and weakeneth them that they cannot last so long as
they might.
(5) They go not so near the wind as they might be
made to do, the wind being the greatest advantage in
fight.
(6) They draw more water in proportion to their
burdens than they might be made to do.
(7) They be made of less burdens than they may be
made of in proportion to the length, breadth and depth.
This defect the Hollanders have in part mended and
are able to carry freight for one third part less than our
Merchants.
(8) They cannot bear sail nor steer readily to make the
best advantage of the wind, for want whereof, and of
art in proportioning the Moulds, they sail not so fast as
they may be made to do.
My study these twenty years in the Mathematics hath
been chiefly directed to the mending of these defects.
I have during this time applied myself to know the
several ways of building and the secrets of the best ship-
wrights in England and Christendom, and have likewise
observed the several workings of ships in the sea in all
the voyages I have been. By these helps I have demon-
stratively gained the science of making of ships perfect
in Art, which of necessity must be made wrought by a
differing way from all the Shipwrights in the world.
He goes on to say that ships built after his
plan v^ould cost less and be of more burden,
and gives reasons why the ships of the Low
Countries carried freight at cheaper rates than
English ships. This, he says, was because they
were longer in proportion to their breadth,
broader and longer in the bottom, and therefore
of less draught, and not built so high above
water, with the result that they required less
sail and tackling and could manage with a smaller
crew.
These criticisms of the English shipwrights a r
Jxxiv INTRODUCTION
no doubt well founded, but the step from critic to
artist is a long one, and Waymouth never took
it. Nevertheless he was a more competent critic
than Pett would have us believe. An anonymous
seventeenth - century MS., entitled, *A most
excellent briefe and easie Treatize,' containing,
among other matters, ' A most excellent manner
for the Buildinge of Shippes,' exists in the Scott
collection, and this, by the kindness of the owner,
has been placed at the disposal of the editor,
who, after a careful examination, has no doubt
that it is the work of Waymouth, written after
he had built the ship which Pett calls a ' bable
and drowne divell,' and of which a midship
section is given. Unfortunately, except in this
one instance, the treatise is purely theoretical and
throws no light on the problems of the Prince
Royal, or the methods of the royal shipwrights,
but as a theoretical treatise it is far in advance
of the 'Jewell of Artes,' and indeed of anything
that the English shipwTights of that century pro-
duced, and is sufficient to explain why Waymouth's
opinions were accorded so much respect.
After Waymouth 's futile visit to Woolwich,
the King seems to have been much perplexed,
and since there was no independent
Noui^-^^ expert, for they had all taken sides, he
iiam, handed the matter over to a committee
and's^uffoik. composed of the Lord High Admiral and
two of the great officers of State. In
theory, no doubt, the selection of the Admiral to
superintend such an inquiry was the natural course
to be followed, but in this case he was sitting in
judgment on one of his own proteges, and could
hardly condemn him without indirectly condemn-
ing himself and justifying Northampton. The
result in such circumstances— and with such a
INTRODUCTION Ixxv
man— was a foregone conclusion, for the other
two members, having no professional experience
of the matter, would naturally follow his direction.
The technical arguments of Baker and Stevens
would be lost on Worcester and Suffolk, even
if Nottingham could appreciate them, which may
be doubted ; and — judging by his writings, and
allowing for their ignorance of the mathematical
side of the questions at issue — it is not surprising
that Waymouth bored them beyond endurance,
with the result that in the end ' they found the
business in every part and point so excellent.'
Northampton's anger at the result was not
unnatural, and the King found that there was no
other course open to him but to hold an inquiry
in person. This was fixed for the 8th May, and
during the first week of that month Baker,
Waymouth, and their associates took the dimen-
sions of the ship at Woolwich and set out their
objections in the following document : ^
Imperfections found upon view of the new work
begun at Woolwich.
First her mould is altogether unperfect, furred*
in divers places ; she hath too much floor ; ^ the lower
sweep * and the upper are too long, and the middle
sweep too short.
Her depth is too great and her side too upright, so
that of necessity she must be tender sided and not
able to bear sail.
Her breadth lieth too high, and so she will draw too
» S.P. Dam., James I, xlv. 33.
* See note on p.lxviii. In this case pieces were laid upon
the outsides of the timbers to make the mould broader.
* See note on p. 37.
* The sweeps are the circular arcs of the mould ; see the
mould of the Sovereign en p. xcvi.
Ixxvi INTRODUCTION
much water, and thereby dangerous and unfit for our
shoal seas.
Her harpings ^ are too round and lie too low, which
maketh a cling at the after end of it, and makes the
tow flare off ^ so much that the work is not only mis-
shapen but the ship dangerous to beat in the sea either
at an anchor or under sail.
Her workmanship is very ill done, and thereby the
ship made weak, as first the limber' holes are cut so
deep in the midship floor timbers that they are less
thickness upon the keel than toward the rung head ;
whereas they ought to be thicker and stronger in the
midst, to bear the weight on ground.
The futtocks * have not scarph ^ enough with the
floor timbers, but at the lower end of them are divers
short clogs of timber put in which serve to no purpose
for strength but to fill up the room. Every mean owner
in the Thames will assuredly tie the carpenter to allow
a great scarph and to have his timber come whole within
a foot of his kelson.
Some of the timbers abaft and afore are left so deep
by the kelson that the footwales • and outside not being
well tren ailed together vnW be a great weakness to the
ship, and the rather for that the rung,' being cut out
of right and old grown timber, cannot be brought to a
lesser scantling, they will break in sunder at the cross
grain.
The provision of timber was not fitting such a charge-
* * The Harpings of a Ship is the breadth of her at the
bow : also some call the ends of the bends, which are fastened
into the stem, the Harpings.' — Mainwaring, Seaman's Dic-
tionary. • Overhang.
» Holes cut through the timbers over the keel to allow
the bilge water to run to the pump.
* See note on p. 60.
' I.e. the overlap of the joint was not sufficient.
* The inside planking upon the floor timbers, sometimes
called ' seeling ' or ' ceiling.'
' The rungheads at the ends of the floor timbers, where
these begin to curve upward into the lower (or runghead)
sweep.
INTRODUCTION Ixxvii
able work for that much of the same is overgrown and
many pieces of them cross grained, as cut to a round-
ness out of straight timber, which cannot be strong enough
to bear a ship on ground of so great weight as this is ;
as may be seen both in the ship and yard.
To shew his weakness in art and the imperfection
of the mould, Pett himself, after workmen had seen her,
hauled down his futtocks^ 2 foot as soon as the lords
were gone, and cut off some of the heads of them, whereby
they have made her more imperfect than she was and
put all things out of order that she can hardly be ever
amended.
Mathew Baker. W. Bright.
Nycholas Clay. Edward Stevenes.
John Greaves. Richard Meryett.
George Waymouth.
All these being Shipwrights (saving Capt. Waymouth)
have taken their oath, and answered before us, both upon
their conscience to God, their duty to the King and their
love to their country that this declaration is true. And
Cap"*. Waymouth also afhrmeth that all which the said
Shipwrights have declared to be imperfections are so to
be accounted. But the error of the limber holes he did
not look into, supposing that no man affecting the name
of a workman would err in so gross an absurdity.
HNorthampton. Ch. Parkins.
E. ZoucH. Ro. Cotton.
John Corbett.
Cap". Waymouth further saith, touching the imperfection
of the mould, that the Hollowing Moulds ^ are not good
neither before nor abaft, for in the Hollowing Moulds
afterward he hath taken away too much timber from
the hooks, whereby it hath much weakened the ship,
that when she cometh to lie on ground she will complain
in that place, which will be a great impediment to the ship.
* I.e. shortened the futtock sweep.
» The moulds fore and aft in which the lower sweeps
become concave instead of convex exteriorly.
Ixxviii INTRODUCTION
And concludeth that she being so deep and her moulds
so unperfect, with these gross errors and absurdities
she can never be made strong and fit for service,
and least of all for our seas.
Edward Stevenes. George Waymouth.
Mathew Baker.
W. Bright.
Nycholas Clay.
John Greaves.
Richard Meryett.
hnorthampton.
E. ZoUCH.
CH. Parkins.
Ro. Cotton. John Corbett.
This indictment cannot be lightly set aside.
Baker was the most prominent shipbuilder of
that day, and Bright and Meryett (or, as the name
is more usually written, Meritt) were Govern-
ment shipbuilders of long experience, while Clay,
Greaves, and Stevens were private builders of
considerable standing in their profession. Un-
fortunately we have hardly any authentic details
of the ship ; certainly not sufficient to enable us
to form any independent opinion upon the ques-
ticii of her design. We have, from the careful
survey ^ taken in 1632, the following dimensions :
Feet. Ins.
Length of keel 115 o
Breadth
Mean breadth
Depth (presumably from the breadth to
top of keel) ....
Depth from the seeling ....
Tonnage (old measurement) .
Tonnage (new measurement) .
and from the arguments during the inquiry it
appears that the breadth of the floor was 11 feet
» Add». MS. 18037.
43
0
36
0
18
0
16 3
ii86-8o
1330
INTRODUCTION Ixxix
8 inches. This is all we know of the shape of
the hull below water, and the pictures of the ship
that can be considered authentic representations ^
do not add to this knowledge.
It would seem that Pett had made one or two
slight alterations in the accepted rules, as followed
by his predecessors, in the design of the hull.
For example, his floor was slightly wider than
the amount allowed by Baker in his scheme
for plotting the midship section, given in the
' Fragments of Ancient English Shipwrightry,' ^
according to which it should have worked out at
10 feet 3 inches; but as Waymouth had, as we
have already seen, been advocating a broader
floor, a change that subsequently took effect,
it is difficult to understand why he, at any rate,
should have objected to this. To a later age,
which has seen much greater ships of deeper
draught navigate ' our shoal seas ' in safety, the
objection to the deep draught of water may seem
somewhat uncalled for, but it must be remembered
that at that date the King's ships, when not on
service, lay in the Medway above Upnor, and
an undated MS.* written about 1640 shows that
difficulty was experienced in finding safe moorings
for the Sovereign and the Prince in this position.
On the whole, it seems probable that the objections
on the score of design were not well founded.
We never hear of the ship having been crank
or unseaworthy on this account, and there is no
such disgraceful episode as that connected with
* At Hinchinbrook, Hampton Court, and Windsor Castle.
See R. C. Anderson, ' The Prince Royal and other Ships of
James I,' in Mariner's Mirror, vol. iii. (1913), in which these
pictures are reproduced.
* Pepysian MS. 2820.
■ Add'. MS. 9299, f. 206.
Ixxx INTRODUCTION
the Unicorn, built by Edward Boate in 1633,
to be brought up against her.
On the charge of insufficiency of material,
however, the evidence is against Pett. There
can be little doubt but that much of the timber
was unsuitable ; . some was green and unseasoned ;
some too old and in incipient decay ; while the
curved timbers, which should have been cut
from trees crooked by natural growth, had been
cut from straight trees, with the result that
the grain did not run round, but across, the
curves, to the detriment of their strength. In
December 1621 the Navy Commissioners ex-
pressed their feelings on the subject to Buckingham
in a letter, of which the following draft is preserved
in the Coke MSS. : ^
Her weakness is so great that all we can do unto
her at this time with above 500/. charge will but make
her ride afloat and be able to go to sea upon our own
coast rather for show than for service, and that to make
her a strong and perfect ship will require at least 6,000/.
charge and time till monies and fit provisions may be had.
This we write to your Honour with grief and some just
indignation, seeing a ship which so lately cost His Majesty
near 20,000/. and was boasted to be of force to fight for
a kingdom, so suddenly perish, and that no other reasons
are given thereof but her first building of old red and
decaying timber and that fallen in the sap, and her
double planking with green and unseasoned stuff, wherein
the improvidence of the officers and imfaithfulness of the
workmen cannot be excused, such faults tending to the
dishonouring and disarming of the state cannot with duty
be either coloured or concealed.
Perhaps this was stated a little too strongly,
for in 1623, after a refiit costing under 1000/.,
» Coke MSS. {Hist. MSS.), I. 114. See also pp. 124, 125,
infra.
INTRODUCTION Ixxxi
she made the voyage to Spain and back in safety.
Nevertheless, as pointed out by Mr. Oppenheim,
she ' was never subjected to any serious work/
and in 1641 she was entirely rebuilt at Woolwich
by Peter Pett at an estimated cost of 16,019/., ^^
which must be added 2160/. for launching and
transporting her to Chatham.*
Having been forced by the circumstances to
take the matter into his own hand, James seems
^^^ to have conducted the inquiry with
Inquiry moderation and skill, and if he had re-
before mained content with weighing the evi-
w^iwrch ^^^^^' ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ attempted to decide
' some of the technical points in dispute
himself, his decision might have received universal
acceptance.
An inspection of the list of witnesses on either
side shows that the weight of authority was
against Pett : the seamen appearing against him
were of much greater importance than those for
him, and, with the exception of Burrell, who
subsequently * reported against the ship, the
same may be said of the shipwrights. In con-
sidering the result of the inquiry we cannot do
better than follow James' division into the three
points of art, sufficiency of materials, and charge.
As regards art, it is obvious that Pett was tread-
ing the path of progress experimentally with his
new design ; the criticisms indicate that he had
introduced modifications into the methods followed
by Baker and the older shipwrights {e.g, in the
width of the floor and the shape of the bows),
while the subsequent furring of the mould and
the alterations to the futtocks show that he was
uncertain where he was going, and modified his
^ Add. MSS. 9294 f. 409 and 9300.
* I.e. in 1621.
Ixxxii INTRODUCTION
plans during the building. For the settlement of
the much disputed point of the fiat of the floor,
which seems to have been the determination of
the actual point at which the lower sweep com-
menced (obtained, presumably, by finding the
geometrical centre of that sweep and dropping
a perpendicular from it on to the floor), James
chose Briggs, who was an eminent mathematician,
and Chaloner, who, notwithstanding that he was a
court official, was of some eminence as a scientist.
Their verdict in favour of Pett must therefore be
accepted as final.
On the whole, it seems that as regards ' art '
Pett was in the right ; but as regards the second
point, 'material,' sufficient has been already
said to show that his opponents were justified
in their criticism. As regards the third point,
* charge,' i.e. costs, facts showed subsequently
that the claim that * the charge of the building
of this ship should not exceed other ships that
had been built in her Majesty's times . . . allow-
ing proportion for proportion, the garnishing not
exceeding theirs,' was entirely unfounded ; for
even allowing for the lavish decoration, the cost of
building was much greater proportionately than
that of any of those ships. The exuberance of
the decoration may be seen from the entries in
the Declared Accounts, printed in the Appendix,
which are of additional interest from the informa-
tion they give as to constructive details. It will
be observed that these agree with such details
as can be made out in the Hampton Court and
Hinchinbrook pictures."
* Appendix V, p. 207.
" It need scarcely be pointed out that the illustrations in
Charnock's Marine Architecture do not remotely resemble
the real ship.
INTRODUCTION Ixxxiii
The Commission of Inquiry of 1618 found the
management of the Navy in much the same state
as it was in 1608, with the same abuses
The Com- ^^^{\\ unremedied. But although in its
^'16^8. Report it did not pillory Pett as the
earlier Commission had done, it seems,
by the reforms which it instituted, to have made
him very uncomfortable. The actual shipbuilding
was concentrated at Deptford, and Phineas was
employed at Chatham in the work of improving
and enlarging that yard. Wm. Burrell, who had
been one of Pett's chief supporters in the Prince
Royal Inquiry, was made one of the Commis-
sioners, and although he remained the chief ship-
builder of the East India Company,^ the whole of
the new construction, which amounted to two ships
yearly for the next five years, was placed in his
hands, all the ships being built under contracts
made between Burrell and the Commissioners.
Naturally this arrangement, however efficient it
might be from the national point of view, did not
coincide with Pett's interests, and in his usual
hyperbolical style he describes Burrell and Norreys
(the Surveyor) as his * greatest enemies,' and attri-
butes the necessary reforms of the Commissioners
to a plot to ' ruin ' himself.
The story of the Expedition to Algiers, which
was as much a diplomatic move in support of the
Elector Palatine as an attempt to suppress
J^®. the Algerine pirates, has been amply dealt
ExpeStion.with by historians,* but there remains
something to be said about Pett's con-
* Burrell quarrelled with the Company in 1626 and was
dismissed their service. He died in 1630.
* See especially Playfair, The Scourge of Christendom ;
Corbett, England in the Mediterranean, vol. i., chap. viii. ;
and Oppenheim, Monson Tracts, vol. iii. p. 94 et seq.
Ixxxiv INTRO D UCTION
nection with it, and his financial troubles that
arose from it. It will be noted that he does not
utter a word as to what happened between the
time of his joining Mansell's fleet at Malaga in the
Mercury on the 8th February and his return to the
Downs on the 19th September. This silence was,
no doubt, intentional, and arose from his un-
wilhngness to put on record anything that might
give offence to his friend Mansell or to higher
authorities.
Part of the fleet was fitted out at the expense
of the London merchants, Vho entered into a
contract with Phineas for the construction of two
pinnaces, of 120 and 80 tons respectively, sub-
sequently named the Mercury and the Spy.
It was the habit of the Master Shipwrights to
exceed their instructions in building ships for the
Navy ; partly, perhaps, from a desire to do greater
things than they were asked to do, and to out-
rival their colleagues, but largely because the
greater the ship the greater the profit to them-
selves. When Pett attempted to play this trick
upon the merchants (increasing one pinnace from
120 tons to 300, and the other from 80 tons to 200),
' upon some hopes of thanks and reward,' he
got bitten badly, for the merchants, disdaining
the precedents of the royal dockyards, insisted
upon holding to their contract, and left Pett to
make the best of a bad bargain. His appeal to
the Council for redress was referred to the Com-
mittee of Merchants, who in their reply ^ of 2nd
December 1622 pointed out that their 'chief de-
sires and endeavours have been and ever shall
be to do right unto all, and (as fast as money can
be gotten in) to give satisfaction where any just
demands can be made unto us.' They added that
* S.P. Dom., James I, cxxxiv. 60.
INTRODUCTION Ixxxv
' at our last meeting Captain Pett sent his brother
and son unto us, with whom we have conferred
and have agreed that Captain Pett shall bring in
his accompt, and if it appear that he hath not
received as much or more than any way can be
due unto him, either for making the two pinnaces
or his entertainment, we will make present pay-
ment of the remainder, as we have formerly
offered before your Lordships.'
The matter drifted on until 1624, and two
further remonstrances, from the Admiralty, brought
forth a reply from the merchants that they were
sorry to observe your Lordships' displeasure contained
against us upon the suggestions of those whom nothing
but their own demands can satisfy. . . . Your Lord-
ships may please to be advertised that we contracted
with him to build two pinnaces for twelve hundred and
seventy pounds, and have paid to his workmen and lent
to himself divers great sums of money over and above
our contract and his wages, ^ by reason whereof we con-
ceive he is more indebted to us than his wages demanded
amounts unto, in a great sum of money, and also we lent
him two hundred pounds upon his own bond yet un-
satisfied. Notwithstanding, as formerly we have certified
your Lordships, and sundry times offered to Capt. Pett,
that we were ready to accompt with him that satisfac-
tion might be given if ought were due to either psLVty,
and we are still ready to perform the same, yet because
he rejects this motion and that we are desirous your
Lordships may be fully satisfied of our honest intentions
and proceedings and may be no further troubled herein,
we are therefore emboldened to become suitors to your
Lordships that the Commissioners of the Navy, or whom
else your Lordships shall please to appoint, may have
the examination of the account depending, and if upon
their report anything be found due we will take present
order for payment thereof.
^ J.e, his wages as captain of the Mercury,
■J'
Ixxxvi INTRODUCTION
Apparently Pett never received the balance
of the money, but his troubles did not end there.
He was indebted to his brother Peter
Pet?^^^^ for materials for these ships to the
value of 325/. While his brother lived
Phineas does not seem to have troubled about
repayment, although, according to EUzabeth Pett,
his sister-in-law, Peter had been * often arrested
on this account,' and Phineas himself had, as
he tells us, been arrested and imprisoned in 1628
at the suit of * one Freeman,' by whom the tim.ber
seems to have been originally supplied.^
After Peter's death,^ his v/idow endeavoured
to recover the debt from Phineas, but could not
enforce judgment on account of the latter* s
position as the King's servant. She therefore
petitioned the Admiralty in January 1633 for
'leave to have the benefit of law against him.'
Pett was ordered to satisfy her or show cause why
the law should not take its course. Pett explained
his loss on the transaction, and asserted that,
' notwithstanding this great loss and main other ^
befallen me, yet according to my poor abilities I
have endeavoured to make satisfaction for the
debt due to my brother,* and he promised to pay it
off in instalments. Elizabeth, who had herself
been * taken in execution ' for the debt, pressed
for a larger amount down, because she was * almost
utterly undone through want of the said sum so
long time, being the greater part of her mainten-
ance.'
In May Phineas wrote to Nicholas protesting
» Infra, pp. 139, 141.
■ About 1631. In January 1^4 he is stated to have
been dead three years. \
* He refers especially to his los^ on the Destiny. For this
use of ' main ' in the sense of ' considerable,' cf. ' a very main
loss.'— iV.£.Z>, .'
INT ROD UCTION Ixxxvii
that he could not help defaulting in his payments
because his son fell dangerously sick, and he could
not get his arrears due from the Exchequer,
and asserting his intention to settle the matter
' before the end of this term.' In June Nicholas
told him that the course of justice could not be
stayed any longer, and Pett again promised that
the instalment due should be paid. In October,
Pett was still in default, and he was ordered by
the Admiralty to give immediate satisfaction or
show cause within a week why proceedings should
not be taken. He managed still to hold out,
and on Sunday the 8th of December he was
arrested as he was going to St. Dunstan's Church
* to hear a brother of his preach.' The officers let
him go when they heard that he was the King's
servant, and subsequently excused their action
on the ground that Mrs. Pett's daughter had
assured them that Phineas ' lay skulking in
obscure places and then . . . lay at a chandler's
shop in Tower Street, being ... an old sea
captain and ready to go to sea presently.' Upon
this Pett petitioned the Admiralty, complaining
that he had offered part of the debt, which was
' utterly rejected, and her implacable spirit will
receive no other satisfaction but present payment
of the whole debt,' and he asked the Lords to
summon Mrs. Pett and her abettors before them
for daring to arrest him without leave, ' so that he
can go about his business without fear of arrest
and that she may be enforced to accept her debt
at such reasonable times as he is able to pay.'
The remainder of the story is not to be found
in the State Papers, but Pett tells us ^ that the
* Infra, p. 154. The above account has been collected
from the S.P. Dom., James I, ccxv. p. 98 ; ccxxviii. f. 14,
84a ; ccxxi. 45 ; ccxxxii. 27 ; ccxxxiii. 10 ; ccxxxviii. 89 j
ccxlii. 3, 36 ; ccxlvii. 84 ; cell. 18 ; cclix. 10.
Ixxxviii INTRODUCTION
matter was fought out at law, to his ' great
charge/ so that presumably he was ultimately
compelled to pay the money.
A little before the time when EUzabeth first
began to press him for the payment of the debt
due to her late husband, Phineas was
Dcstinv being pursued by an anchor-smith named
Tayte, who asked the Admiralty for
permission to proceed against him for a debt of
250/. due on account of ironwork supplied for the
construction of the Destiny, which Pett built
for Sir Walter Ralegh in 1617. Phineas does not
mention this in the manuscript, but as it gave
rise to the interesting letter to Nicholas and
petition to the Admiralty printed in the Appendix ^
it seems worthy of passing reference. On the
return of Ralegh from his disastrous expedition,
the Destiny was confiscated by the Crown, her
name being changed to Convertive. Pett was
therefore unable to recover against the ship the
700/. which was due to him, and presumably
had no power to recover it from Ralegh's estate ;
possibly, however, this was another case in which
he had exceeded the contract and had no legal
remedy against the owner for the difference.
In relating the voyage to Spain with the
squadron sent to bring home Prince Charles
after his foolish adventure with Bucking-
Vo^a e ^^"^ ^^ ^^^ Spanish Court, Pett has not
to^Spaln. been so reticent as he was in the case of
the voyage to Algiers, and he has given
a fuller account of the incidents of the return
voyage than will be found elsewhere. The cir-
cumstances in which he went mark the peculiarly
favoured position which he held in relation to
the King and the Lord High AdiUiral. The letter
* Appendix VI. p. 210.
INTRODUCTION Ixxxix
written to Buckingham printed in the Appendix ^
further illustrates this special relationship. His
complaint therein that the cook-room of the Prince
had been moved against his consent is evidently
directed against the Commissioners, who, in their
report of 1618, had urged that cook-rooms should
be placed in the forecastle because, when placed
amidships, the smoke made * the okam spew out,*
and they took up valuable space required for
storage, and by bad distribution of weights made
the ship ' apt to sway in the back.' It does
not seem unreasonable that the Navy Com-
missioners should have objected ^ to the absence
of one of the principal master shipwrights from
his duties for such a purpose as the voyage in
question, although Phineas, with his usual animus
against those who differed from him, accuses them
of plots and malicious practices.
The scandal in regard to the sale of old cordage
as * brown paper stuff ' was judicially investi-
gated before the Judge of the Admiralty,
Brown ^^^^ ^j^^ report of the proceedings is pre-
stus^ served among the State Papers.^ From
this report it appears that Palmer, Pett,
and others had sold this material (much of which,
so it was alleged, might have been used for oakum,
gun wads, or twice-laid rope) without the consent
of the other Principal Officers. Some of the
money received for it had been applied to legiti-
mate purposes, but it is clear that part had been
kept back in the hope that no questions would
be asked, and that after a time the holders might
appropriate it for themseWes. The assertion of
Pett * that it was ' claimed as a perquisite to our
places ' is not borne out by his own evidence.
» App. VII, p. 212. • Infra, p. 126.
» 5.P. Dom., Chas. I., celt. 74. * Infra, p. 153.
xc INTRODUCTION
According to his deposition, made on 7th August
1633, the Keeper of the Storehouse at Chatham
had reported to him that the storehouse was so
cumbered with ' unnecessary and unserviceable
cordage and old ends and deca3'Xd junks ' that
there was no room for serviceable material. For
this reason, he and Terne, Clerk of the Survey,
then acting as deputy to Aylesbury, sold ' a
quantity of old ends and deca3^cd junk for brown
paper stuff,' but Pett alleged that he told the
* Master then attendant ' and other officers that
nothing that was fit for use or service was to be
handed over to the purchasers. Pett could not
remember the total amount received for this
stuff,^ but stated that he had ' received of the
said Sir Henry Palmer (upon promise made by
this deponent to deliver up bills to the Treasurer
of his Majesty's Navy for so much money due
to him, this deponent, from his Majesty) four
score and six pounds sterling and hath since
made an assignment to the said Treasurer to
defalk so much out of this deponent's entertain-
ment payable to him.' He further stated that
the sales were * by their own authorit}^ being
principal officers of his Majesty's Navy,' and
claimed that ' any two of the said principal
officers personally attending at Chatham have
sufficient power and authorit}^ for themselves,
without acquainting the rest, there being divers
precedents of the like done by others hereto-
fore.'
On 22nd February 1634, Pett, Palmer, Fleming,
Terne, and Lawrence were sequestered from their
places for having sold the material without suffi-
cient authority, but on ist March Charles entirely
pardoned Pett, while only allowing the others the
» It was 252/. 6s. 9^.
INTRODUCTION xci
favour of continuing in their places until they
had answered in writing.*
The idea of building a royal ship that should
be larger and more ornate than any of her pre-
decessors seems to have originated in
The the mind of the King, who acquainted
Sovereign p^tt with his intention towards the end
Seas.^ c>f June 1634. Phineas thereupon pre-
pared a model, which was ready by the
middle of October and was carried to Court on the
19th of that month. In the meantime the Masters
of Trinity House heard of the project and lodged
the amusing protest printed in the Appendix.^
Apparently this model was not approved, for on
7th March of the following year Pett received
instructions from the Admiralty to build a ' new
great ship ' of 1500 tons, and was told to prepare
a * model ' for it.^ This second model does not
appear to have been constructed, but as Penning-
ton's draft, giving the dimensions proposed by
him for the ship, is endorsed by the King as a
* model,' perhaps a tabular statement of that
nature was all that was intended. In April a
committee, consisting of Pennington, Mansell, Pett,
and John Wells,* examined Pett's plans and drew
up the following schedule of proposed dimensions,^
which was approved by the King but afterwards
modified :
According to your Ma*' command we have examined
the particulars of the plot and the dimensions presented
* S.P. Dom., Chas. I, cclx. 108, ccxxviii. f. 122.
* Appendix VIII., p. 214.
» S.P. Dom., Chas. I, cclxiv. ft". 67^1, d>ya.
* Storekeeper at Deptford. He seems to have had some
knowledge of design, for in 1626 and 1627 he had been asso-
ciated with Pett, Stevens, Lydiard, and Gunter, the mathe-
matician, in drawing up new rules for ship measurement,
.J S.P. Dom., Chas. I, cclxxxvi. 44.
XCll
INTRODUCTION
to your Ma*' by Capt. Pett, and by comparing the rules
of Art and experience together we have agreed to the
Proportion underwritten, which we most humbly submit
to your Ma*' further pleasure.
Length of the keel
Breadth within the plank
Depth in the hold from the breadth to the upper
edge of the keel
Keel and dead rising
Draught of water from the breadth to the lower
edge of the keel ....
The swimming line from the bottom of the
keel ......
The flat of the floor ....
Rake of the stem ....
Rake of the post .....
Height of the Tuck at the fashion piece .
Breadth of the Transome
Height of the way forward
Distance of the ports ....
Ports upon the lower tier, square .
Ports upon the second tier, square .
Ports upon the third tier, round or square
Distance of the ports from the swimming line
with four months victuals at .
With six months victuals at
The first deck from plank to plank
The second deck
The third deck ....
Ft. Ins.
127 o
46 3
18
2
18
13
21 3
3^ o
8 o
16
28
14
10
All the decks flush fore and aft, and the^half deck,
quarter deck and forecastle according to the plot.
Ton and
Tonnage
. 1466
. 1661
This ship by the depth in hold will be .
By the draught in water ....
By the mean breadth, which is the truest of
all 1836
INTRODUCTION xciii
Your Ma*'' will be pleased to be informed that after
mature debate we have likewise agreed upon the rules to
be proportioned to each sweep of the midship bend, and
where the bend is to be placed, and likewise of the rules
to be held in her narrowing and rising lines, which we all
pray may be only imparted to your Ma*''.
Robert Mansell. J. Pennington. J. Wells.
Phineas Pett.
This is endorsed in the King's handwriting :
' Dimensions resolved on for the Great Ship, 7
of April 1635.' It is of interest to note, as
evidencing the jealous way in which the funda-
mentals of the design were kept secret, that the
Committee proposed to impart the details of the
midship bend ^ and of the narrowing and rising
lines,^ which together formed the key to the
actual form of the hull, to the King alone.
Ten days later Pennington appears to have
put in a proposal that slightly modified this
design, increasing the draught of water by nine
inches, the beam by four inches, the fiat of the
floor by one foot, and the tonnage by 56 or 48 tons,
but decreasing the keel length by one foot. His
scheme of dimensions, which is endorsed in the
King's handwriting as * Dimensions of Pennington's
Model for the Great Ship, 17 April 1635,''
seems, from the fact that the tonnage is quoted
in the contemporary lists * as 1522 tons, to have
* The transverse section at the greatest breadth.
* The curves passing through the ends of the floor timbers,
as referred to the plan and elevation respectively.
» S.P. Dom., Chas. I, cclxxxvi. 105.
* Add. MSS. 9300 f. 64 ; 9336 f. 53- S.P. Dom., Chas. I,
ccclxviii. 121. In this list,' which is dated September 1637,
the ship is not named. The keel length is given as 127 ft.,
depth from breadth to top of keel as 19 ft. 4 ins., and breadth
as 46 ft. 6 ins.
xciv
INTRODUCTION
been the one finally adopted, though with slight
modification. It runs as follows :
Length by the keel
Breadth at the beam
Breadth at the Transome
Breadth of the Floor
Breadth from the water
Draught of water ....
Ports from the water
Ports asunder 9ft., some more
Ports from the deck
Distance between the decks from plank to plank
Rake of the Stem ....
Rake of the Post ....
Height of the Tuck
Depth in hold from the seeling to the lower
edge of the beam
Sw^eep at the runghead .
Sweep at the right of the mould
Sweep between the water line and the breadth
Sweep above the breadth
Burden in tons and tonnage by the old rule
New rule
The outstanding interest of this * model ' lies
in the fact that it is the only instance in which the
sweeps of the mould are given. Before we can
proceed to construct from it the midship section,
we are met with the difficulty that the depth
from greatest breadth to keel is not given, but
in the first model this was equal to the draught,
viz. 18 feet 9 inches, and since this was increased
by 9 inches, we may fairly assume that the
' depth ' in Pennington's model would be about
19 feet 6 inches, and in fact we have this dimension
given in a contemporary list as 19 feet 4 inches.
If, taking this figure, we now attempt to plot the
section, it will be found that the sweeps will not
Ft. Insi
126
0
46
6
28
0
14
0
2
0
19
6
5
0
9
0
2
0
7
6
37
6
9
0
17
0
17
0
II
0
31
0
10
0
14
0
15
22
1884
INTRODUCTION xcv
reconcile, the radius of the futtock sweep, 31 feet,
being too great by about 6 feet. The mistake
appears to He in the height of the ' breadth from
the water ' (i.e. the height of the greatest breadth
above the * swimming hne '), given as 2 feet.
In the first model this was 2 feet 6 inches, and,
as it is not probable that it would be less in the
deeper ship, we may take this to have been 3
feet, and not 2 feet. On this assumption we can
proceed to construct the curve of the midship
section as in the drawing annexed. In this
drawing we have :
Ft. Ins*
AB = the half breadth . . . . 23 3
AC = the depth from greatest breadth
to top of keel . . . . 19 4
AD = the half flat of the floor . .70
DE = the radius of the runghead sweep . 11 o
FG = the radius of the sweep between
greatest breadth and the water-
line 10 o
FH = the radius of the ' sweep above
the breadth ' . . . . 14 o
We can now plot the curve of the section;
Drawing the arc FI with radius GF to a depth of
3 feet perpendicularly below CF, we obtain the
point I, and producing IG backwards to K, a
point 31 feet distant from I, we have the centre
of the futtock sweep, or ' sweep at the right of
the mould,* which is given as 31 feet in radius.'
With this radius from K we draw the arc IL
cutting a line drawn from K through E at L:
On drawing the runghead sweep from D with
radius of 11 feet from centre E, it is found that
this arc meets the other precisely at L, and these
two arcs ' reconcile,' i.e: are tangent to each other
XCVl
INTRODUCTION
•^-^--^
Scale op Feet.
INTRODUCTION xcvii
at L, for the centres of both arcs he in the same
straight line KEL.
The curve of the ' topsides ' presents more
difficulty, because we are only given the radius
of the ' sweep above the breadth/ but if we
assume that the distance CM, or total height
of the midship section above the greatest breadth,
is equal to AC (and this seems to have been the
customary proportion), and that the reverse curve
NO was struck with the same radius as FN,
namely 14 feet, we get a curve for the half mid-
ship section ADLIFNO which cannot be far
from the original design, and in the lower portion
must approximate to it very closely indeed.
There are no data from which the plan or
elevation can be constructed, but it may be
noted that the Ust in the State Papers already
quoted gives the length of keel as 127 feet, although
the tonnage remains as fixed by Pennington, so
that, presumably, the rakes of the stem- and
stern-posts were also modified so as not to in-
crease the displacement, or rather the empirical
measurement of it. Some time during this year
Peter Pett was petitioning the King for license
to print and publish ' the plot or draught of the
great ship,' a concession which he had apparently
been promised,^ but there is no record of the
answer returned to his petition, nor is there any
trace of the drawing, which may have been the
original of the well-known engraving by Payne.
In 1663 Christopher Pett gave Pepys a copy of
the ' plate of the Soverayne with the table to
it,' ' but whether this was Peter Pett's ' plot ' or
Payne's engraving with additional details cannot
now be ascertained.
^ S.P, Dom., Chas. I, cccvi. 8^^
* Diary, Ja.n. 31, 1663.
xcviii INTROD UCTION
Pett estimated the cost of building the ship
at 13,860/., and was to be required to ' put in
assurance ' to finish her for 16,000/. ; but, before
she was complete, wages alone had amounted
to more than this sum, while the total cost,
exclusive of ordnance, reached the extraordinary
amount of 40,833/. In May Pett set out for
the north to fell and prepare the 2500 trees
required for her in Chopwell and Brancepeth
Woods. The cost of carriage of the timber to
the water, estimated at 1190/. at least, fell upon
the counties of Durham and Northumberland,
and Bishop Morton of Durham, who had been
made responsible for the provision of this service,
had to apply to the Council for assistance in
proportioning out the assessment. The count}^
of Northumberland objected to the burden to
be placed upon it, and it was suggested that
Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the North Riding
of Yorkshire should bear part. B}^ the beginning
of September the timber had begun to arrive at
Woolwich, and Pett expected to have the ship
finished in eighteen months.
On the 19th September Phineas found it
necessary to protest to the King against the
interference of the other officers, who had * from
the beginning opposed the King's purpose in
building this ship,' ^ and especially against
being made to take material of which he did not
approve, and against the attempt to charge the
ship with the cost of houses then being built at
Woolwich. He pointed out that he could not
keep the cost within the estimate if such practices,
which seem to have been customary, were per-
mitted. The Na\^ Officers complained to the
Admiralty of Pett's action, and he was called
' S.P. Dom.. Chas. I ccxcviii. 20.
INTRODUCTION xcix
before the Admiralty, when he denied that he
had complained to the King about any of them.*
Possibly the great disproportion between the esti-
mated and the ultimate cost of the ship was to
some extent due to the fact that his protest was
not successful, though it is difficult to believe that
his original estimate can have been even approxi-
mately accurate. He had also under-estimated
by six months the time required to build her.
The manuscript ends abruptly with Pett's
visit to the Lord High Admiral on the ist October
1638, and, curiously enough, the refer-
J^®^ ences to him in the State Papers —
Years. hitherto frequent — cease at the same
date, with a letter from Northumberland
to Pennington mentioning this visit. Except for
one reference in connexion with a gratuity to
be given to Henry Goddard in April 1645, his
name is never again mentioned therein. Yet
he remained in the service and carried on his
duties at Chatham until his death.
On 28th June 1642 the King sent him a warrant
informing him of the appointment of Pennington
as Lord High Admiral in place of Northumberland,
and directing him to send the standard and all
necessaries for the fleet as Sir John should direct.^
It will be remembered that Pennington hesitated
and waited before going to the Fleet, with the
result that Warwick, who had been nominated
by Parhament to take command, went on board
the flagship on the 2nd Jul}^ and the Fleet went
over to the ParHamentary side. On the 20th
August Colonels Sir John Seaton and Edwyn
Saudis, acting on instructions from the Com-
mittee of Public Safety, went to Chatham Dock-
1 S.P. Dom., Chas. I, ccxcix. 2, 12.
■' Hist. MSS. Report, v. 33.
c INTRODUCTION
yard, ' which was surrendered to them b}^ Captain
Pett when he saw their warrant/ ^ This was on
Saturday evening, and on the Monday they
completed their work by placing a guard on
board the Sovereign.
Pett was rewarded for his ready obedience
by being included among the Commissioners
of the Navy appointed by Ordinance on the
15th September,* and he was to receive the same
allowance as he already held, although the other
captains (except Batten) and John Hollond were
only given 100/. a year. From this time until
his death in August 1647, i^ his seventy-seventh
year, he seems to have remained quietly at
Chatham, perhaps too old to take any very active
part in current affairs, for he has certainly left
no mark upon them. His death seems to have
occurred unnoticed ; the exact date is unknown,'
and there is no recoid of his will — if he made
one. The last entry concerning him in the
official records * relates to the payment of his
salary up to 29th September 1647, when he had
passed away, but no reference is made to that fact.
It is curious that Sir Henry Vane, the Treasurer
1 Hist. MSS. Report, v. 46.
' Firth, Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, i. 27.
* He was buried in Chatham Church on August 21.
* Pipe Office Dec. Accts. 2286.
' Phineas Pett, Esq., another of the said Commissioners and
one of the principal officers of the Navy, for his salary at 200/.
per annum, Sd. per diem for one clerk and 61. per annum
for paper, pens etc., due to him for the same time ended as the
former [i.e. the year ended September 29, 1647] 217/. 3s. 4^.
* Thomas Smith, Esq., now one of the Commissioners of
the Navy in the room and place of (blank) for the entertain-
ment of himself at 200/. per annum and two clerks at i6d.
per diem and 61. per annum for paper money due to him for
34 days begun the 28th of August 1647 ^tnd ended the 30th of
September following 22/. gs. 4d.'
INTRODUCTION ci
of the Navy in 1647, who had corresponded with
Pett, and must have known of his death, has
left a blank in place of his name in the entry in
these accounts relating to the salary of Thomas
Smith,^ who succeeded to Pett's post at Chatham
on the 28th August.
No authentic portrait of Phineas is known to
exist. He tells us that in 1612 his * picture was
begun to be drawn by a Dutchman working then
with Mr. Rock/ one of the ship-painters, but
does not say if it was ever finished. The picture
in the National Portrait Gallery, which shows the
stern view of the Sovereign, at one time supposed
to be a portrait of Phineas, is now acknowledged
to be that of his son Peter. Another picture, in
the possession of the Earl of Yarborough, has been
exhibited in the past as a portrait of Phineas,
but there can be no doubt that it really represents
Sir Phineas (son of Peter of Deptford and grandson
of Peter of Wapping), who was a Commissioner of
the Navy fromx 1685 to 1689. The ship included
in this picture is probably the Britannia, built by
Sir Phineas in 1682.
In forming any just appreciation of the
character and abilities of Phineas Pett, regard
must be had to the circumstances of
Pett's^^ the age in which he lived. It was a
Character, time of great political and religious
unrest, and expressions of religious devo-
tion which might now be thought extravagant were
then normal, and were apparently not thought
incongruous with dishonesty in money matters.
The chronic maladministration of the Navy,
* Smith, who had been Northumberland's secretary, had
been appointed Secretary of the Admiralty by Ordinance of
the same date as the one by which Pett had been re-appointed
a Commissioner of the Navy in 1642.
cii . INTRODUCTION
and the arrears in payment of the relatively
small salaries allotted to responsible posts, may
to some extent justify methods of acquiring addi-
tional emoluments that nowadays are judged
more severely.
Pett's kindness towards his unfortunate
brothers and sisters shows a good heart, and
there must have been something attractive in
his character to secure him the steady support
of Nottingham, James I, and Charles I, which
went so far as to shield him against the conse-
quences of his misdeeds.
The favoured position which he held, and
the privilege he enjoyed of direct intercourse
with the supreme heads of the Nav}^ behind the
backs of his immediate superiors, brought Pett
into conflict with the latter on many occasions.
It is not necessary to accept the explanation of
Phineas that these incidents were the results
of conspiracies directed against him. To oppose
him was a deadly sin ; thus, Burrell, who was ' a
worthy gentleman and good friend ' when he
stood on Pett's side in the Prince Royal inquiry,
became Pett's 'greatest enemy,' engaged in the
* mahcious practice ' of ' tending to overthrow
me and root my name out of the earth ' because
he w^as appointed one of the Commissioners of
Inquiry in 1618.
Pett was evidently interested in the various
efforts made in the early seventeenth century to
explore and colonise the coasts of North America.
He frequently refers to his friendship with Button,
and states that he assisted in the selection of the
Resolution for the voyage of 1612. He was, more-
over, a kinsjman of Hawkridge and an acquaint-
ance of Foxe ; while Gibbons was the master of
his ship the Resistance. The disparaging remark
INTRODUCTION ciii
on Waymouth*s ' mistaking his course (as he did
in the North- West Passage) '^ shows that he was
acquainted with the story of the voyage of 1602,
but the most competent modern authorities do
not agree with this opinion of Pett (and of his
contemporary Foxe), and hold that Waymouth
did in fact enter the straits subsequently called
after Hudson and sail along them for a consider-
able distance.* Pett was also a member of the
Virginia Company, though he does not mention
this fact. His name appears in the second and
third Charters of the Company (1609 ^^^^ 1612),
and in 1611 he subscribed the sum of 37/. los.
This was the lowest subscription allowable for
members, but it was a comparatively large sum
for those days.
Evidently Phineas, in spite of his large and
gro\\dng family, was at this time fairly prosperous,
and had an income considerably greater than the
5zji. 15s. which represented his official salary and
allowance. No doubt this income was augmented
by the trading ventures in the Resistance and by
shipbuilding for private owners and by various
official ' perquisites.* In 1614 it was increased by
40/., granted him by the King under writ of Piivy
Seal, but in 1617 and the following years his bad
speculations in regard to the Destiny, the pinnace
built for Lord Zouch, the Mercury, and the Spy,
made serious inroads into his capital and burdened
him with a load of debt which seems to have
weighed upon him for many years and given him
much trouble. James came to his assistance in
1620 by presenting him with a patent for a
baronetcy which brought him about 650/., and
* Infra, p. 71.
2 See Christy, Voyages of Foxe and James (Hakl. Soc.)
and Asher, Henry Hudson the Navigator iHakl. Soc).
civ INTRODUCTION
Charles gave him another in 1628 which only
fetched 200/. His appointment as a Commissioner
of the Navy in 1631 increased his official income to
200/., exclusive of the 40/. payable on the writ of
Privy Seal. With this substantial addition to his
salary he was in a position to gradually improve
his finances, and after 1634 we hear no more of the
actions for debt.
From the story of his life as now unfolded it is
clear that Phineas Pett was a man of considerable
ability and industry, kindly to his friends, but
impetuous and quick-tempered ; * well-in * with
the authorities, and apt to take advantage of that
fact when he disagreed with his equals or superiors.
It is probable that he was slightly in advance of
his contemporaries in the profession of ship-
building, but not to the extent commonly sup-
posed. Here his autobiography has stood him
in good stead, for it has attached to his name a
personality that makes his existence seem more
real and of more moment to a later age in which
his professional contemporaries have become
shadowy names. It is difficult to say what was
his real motive in writing it, but it was probably
commenced as an explanation of his position in
regard to the Prince Royal dispute of 1608, and
afterwards continued partly for recreation ; partly,
perhaps, for the edification of his children. Pepys
appears to have thought much of it, for he took
the trouble to copy it into his collection of mis-
cellanea ; but it is certainly wanting in the candour
and honesty of the celebrated Diary, and seems
to have been written in order to convey a favour-
able impression to the reader, and explain away
doubtful deeds, rather than as a real revelation
of self.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
PHINEAS PETT
I, Phineas^ Pett, being the son of Mr. Peter
Pett of Deptford Strond ^ in the County of Kent,
one of her Majesty's Master Shipwrights, was
born in my father's dwelHng house in the same
town one All Saints' day in the morning, being
the first day of November in the year of our Lord
1570, and was baptized the 8th of the same month
and year aforesaid ih the parish church of Deptford
Strond aforesaid.
I was brought up in my father's house at
Deptford Strond until I was almost nine years of
age, and then put out to a free school at Rochester
^ MS. * Phinees ' (the form also adopted in his signature),
the Greek form of the Hebrew name Mouth of Brass, given as
* Phinehas ' by the translators of the Bible.
* MS. * Deepforde Stronde.' The etymology of this well-
known name does not appear to have been satisfactorily
determined. Antiquaries have been content to explain it as
the ' Strand ' or shore of the deep ford over the Ravens-
bourne River, which enters the Thames at Deptford Creek. As
a matter of fact, Deptford Strond lay on the shore of the
Thames some distance to the west of the Ravensboume. It
seems more probable that Deptford Town, at the head of the
creek near the bridge by which the Dover Road crosses, was
the original settlement, and took its name from the deep creek
(fiord) , which was navigable for ships of 500 tons up to that
bridge, and that Deptford Stronde was settled later from the
* Town ' and took the addition ' Stronde ' in contradistinction.
The dockyard was on the site now occupied by the Foreign
Cattle Market.
2 EDUCATION 15,
in Kent, to one Mr. Webb, with whom I boarded
about one year, and afterward lay at Chatham
Hill in my father's lodging in the Queen's House,
from whence I went every day to school to Roches-
ter and came home at night for three years space.
Afterwards, by reason of my small profiting at this
school, my father removed me from thence to
Greenwich to a private school kept by one Mr.
Adams, where I so well profited that in three years
I was made fit for Cambridge.
In the year 1586 at Shrovetide, against bache-
lor's commencement, I was sent to the University
of Cambridge, and by the means of one Mr. Howell,^
a Minister in Essex, I was placed in Emanuel
College with a reverend tutor. President of the
house, called Mr. Charles Chadwick, where I was
allowed 20/. per annum during my father's life,
besides books, apparel, and other necessaries.
In the year 1589, about the 6th day of Septem-
ber, it pleased God ^ to call to his mercy my
reverend loving father, whose loss proved after-
ward my utter undoing almost, had not God
been more merciful unto me ; for leaving all
things to my mother's directions, her fatal match-
ing with a most wicked husband, one Mr. Thomas
Nunn,^ a Minister, brought a general ruin both
to herself and whole family.
Some two months after my father's decease or
thereabouts, my eldest sister Rachel was married
to one Mr. Newman, Minister of Canewdon in
Essex, a man of most dissolute life, with whom
she not long enjoyed, for God, of his great mercy,
^ Probably Thomas Howell, Rector of Paglesham.
" Throughout the MS. the name of the Deity is spelt with-
out a capital letter : the use of capitals in this connection
appears to be comparatively modem.
* ' Num ' in MS., in which it occurs twice.
J^TsW APPRENTICED 3
took her and delivered her from a most miserable
and slavish life wherein she lived with him ; by
whom he had two children, but both died.
By reason of my mother's cross matching,
my means of maintenance being wholly taken
from me, and having no hopes of exhibition from
any friend, I was forced after four years continu-
ance in Cambridge, my graces for Bachelor of
Art being passed both in house and town, to
abandon the University presently after Christmas
in anno 1590.
At Candlemas after, I, by the instant persuasion
of my mother, was contented to put myself to
be an apprentice to become a shipwright (my
father's profession) and was bound a covenant
servant ^ to one Mr. Richard Chapman of Dept-
ford Strond in Kent, one of her Majesty's Master
Shipwrights, and one whom my father had bred
of a child to that profession, my allowance from
him to find myself tools and apparel being bare
but 46 shillings and 8 pence per annum. This man
I served almost two years altogether at Chatham
in the Queen's Majesty's Works, and then he died ;
where I spent all that time, God he knoweth, to
very little purpose.
After my foresaid master his death, I laboured
to have served Mr. Mathew Baker, one of her
Majesty's Master Shipwrights also ; but by the
working of one Mr. Peter Buck,^ then Clerk of
the Check at Chatham, and some other back
friends, I was crossed in my service and so put to
1 I.e. apprentice.
2 Benjamin Gonson, junior, and Buck were appointed
jointly Clerk of the Ships, with reversion to the longer liver,
by letters patent of 10 July 1596. Gonson died in 1600 and
Buck succeeded him. Buck was knighted in 1604 and died
in 1625.
4 VOYAGE TO LEVANT 159^
my shifts, and left to the wide world without
either comfort or friend, but only God.
At this time my eldest brother by my father's
side, Mr. Joseph Pett, succeeded in my father's
place, one of her Majesty's Master Shipwrights,
which preferment no doubt God brought him to
the better to enable him to have given his help to
us ; but we found it clean contrary, for he was not
only careless of us all and left us to our fortunes,
but became also so unkind a brother to two of
us, my own brother Noah and myself, that he was
forced to leave his native country and seek com-
fort in Ireland with an uncle of ours, own brother
to my mother, called George Thornton, an ancient
and well experienced sea captain ; where he shortly
after was drowned in the river of Cork ; and myself
was constrained to ship myself to sea upon a
desperate voyage in a man of war,^ not greatly
caring what became of me.
I was shipped on this voyage a little before
Christmas in anno 1592, in a ship called the
GalHon Constance of London, of burden of 200
tons or thereabouts, belonging to a gentleman of
Suffolk, one Captain Edward Glenham,^ for the
carpenter's mate, the master carpenter being one
Edward Goodale, born in Deptford. To my
setting out to sea, I found not any of my kindred
so kind as to help me, either with money or
clothes, or any other comfort ; only another
brother I had by my father's side, Peter Pett,
dwelling then at Wapping, that vouchsafed me
^ A private man-of-war, called later in the 17th century
a 'privateer.'
■ Or Glemham. This was the second voyage. Neither
appears to have been a financial success. An account of this
voyage under the title. News from the Levane Seas . . . was
published in 1594.
;^''^4
VISIT TO IRELAND
lodging and meat and drink till the ship was ready-
to set sail ; one William King, a yeoman in Essex
and a stranger to me, lent me 3/. in ready money
to help to furnish my necessaries, which afterward
I repaid him again.
In this voyage I endured much misery for
want of victuals and apparel ; and after twenty
months spent in the Levant Seas, coasts of Barbary
and Spain, with many hazards both of loss of life
and time, without taking any purchase^ of any
value, we, extreme poorly, returned for" Ireland
into the river of Cork ; and there taking leave
both of ship and voyage, I travelled to Dublin ^
to visit my uncle Captain Thornton and my
brother Noah, being then master with him in the
Popinjay of the Queen's Majesty's ; and presently
after bent my course for England, taking passage
at the town of Waterford.
With some difficulty I got to London, some
three days before Christmas in anno 1594, having
neither money nor apparel, and took up my
lodging at my brother Peter's house in Wapping,
before spoken of, who, although I was returned
very poor, yet vouchsafed me kind entertain-
ment. The next day I presented myself to my
brother Joseph, who very coyly receiving me,
out of his bounty lent me 40s. to apparel myself,
which I bestowed as frugally as I could in Birchin
Lane in London, contenting myself as well as I
could with mean attire, till such time as it should
please God to provide better for me.
At that time it so fell out that there were
certain of her Majesty's ships appointed to be
^ Prize.
" MS. * Divelinge,' apparently a phonetic attempt at the
old name of DubHn, * Duibhlinn,' pronounced Divlin, Pepys
in his marginal note writes ' travelled to Dublin.'
6 EMPLOYED ON TRIUMPH 1594.
made ready for the voyage of Sir Francis Drake
and Sir John Hawkyns, amongst which the
Defiance ^ was to be brought into Woolwich Dock
to be sheathed ; which work being commended
to my brother Joseph's charge, he was contented
to admit me amongst many others to be one,
where I was contented to take any pains to get
something to apparel myself, which by God*s
blessing I performed before Easter next after,
and that in very good fashion, always endeavour-
ing to keep company with men of good rank far
better than myself.
In the latter end of this year 1594 about the
beginning of Lent, I lost my dear brother Noah,
who was drowned in Cork river with eight more of
his company, and lieth buried in Cork church in
Ireland.
About Bartholomew tide in anno 1595, the
Triumph of her Majesty's was had into Woolwich
Dock to be new builded by Mr. Mathew Baker,
under whom I was entertained there as an ordinary
workman and had allowed me a boy, which was
John Wood, being the first servant that I ever
kept ; but presently after Mr. Baker was ap-
pointed to leave that business, and had order to
go in hand with the building of a great new ship
at Deptford, called afterward the Repulse,^ and
was admiral of my Lord's of Essex squadron
in the Cadiz journey. The Triumph^ was then
appointed to my brother Joseph's charge, with
whom I a while continued, but, finding him
altogether unwilling to prefer* me in his work
* This was destined to be the last voyage of Drake and
Hawkyns. The Defiance was Drake's ship.
• Or Due (Dieu) Repulse.
" Built in 1561, this was a rebuilding.
« Advance.
j^x^^^'o ^ EMPLOYED ON REPULSE 7
as next under him, with some passage of discontent
betwixt us, I left him, and had ready entertain-
ment by Mr. Baker in his new business at Dept-
ford, yet no otherwise than an ordinary workman ;
with whom I continued from the beginning of the
foresaid ship, till she was wholly finished, launched,
and set sail of her voyage from Woolwich, which
was about the latter end of April 1596.
All that winter, in the evenings, commonly I
spent my time to good purposes, as in cyphering,
drawing, and practising to attain the knowledge
of my profession, and I then found Mr. Baker
sometime forward to give me instructions, from
whose help I must acknowledge I received my
greatest lights. At this time also the Lord
Admiral ^ lay most of the winter at his house ' at
Deptford, by reason whereof I got some acquaint-
ance amongst his men, and was much importimed
to have attended his Lordship in that journey,'
which no doubt might have proved very much both
profitable and beneficial unto me, besides it would
have brought me in acquaintance and favour with
my Lord Admiral, but some other reasons re-
strained me from all these likelihoods and kept me
at home, to my no small hindrance as it fell out.
After I was discharged from the Repulse,
my brother Joseph entertained me at Woolwich
upon the Triumph, upon which ship I wrought till
her launching and the discharge of the men from
her, and afterwards was employed at my brother's,
at Limehouse, upon a small model for the Lord
* Howard of Effingham.
* On the north side of Deptford Green, overlooking the
Thames, afterwards the Gun Tavern. See Dew's History of
Deptford, p. 185.
» I.e. the Cadiz Expedition of 1596, under the joint eom-
mand of Howard and Essex.
\
8 INTRODUCTION TO HOWARD .590
Treasurer ^ his house called Theobalds,^ and the
next winter I spent in Essex, at Paglesham ^ in
Rochford Hundred, as overseer for my brother
Peter in certain woods he had bought there.
About this time, was I very desirous, by the
instigation of some special friends of mine, to have
been a follower of the Lord of Essex, and was
three several times brought purposely to have
been presented imto his lordship, but was every
time delayed by reason of his great state * affairs,
the Lord of heaven having other ways in his
secret wisdom determined to dispose of me.
In the latter end of March succeeding, or
beginning of April 1597, by the means of one Mr.
Gilbert Wood, one of the Lord Admiral's Chamber,
an especial good friend of mine, I was presented to
the Lord High Admiral of England, at his Manor
at Chelsea, where his lordship was pleased not
only to accept me as his servant, but also openly
shewed such extraordinary respect of me as I
had much cause to give God thanks, who no doubt
had stirred his honourable heart to regard me,
but a simple and mean fellow, even far beyond
my expectation or desert, and this was the very
first beginning of my rising.
In the beginning of this year, 1597, my dear
and loving mother deceased at Weston in Suffolk,
not far from Bury, and lieth buried in the parish
church there. A little after midsummer in the
same year, I was employed by my brother Joseph
Pett, in his yard at Limehouse, upon the repairing
* William Cecil, Lord Burghley.
* Pronounced ' Tibalds,' whence the form ' Tiballs ' in
which it appears in the MS. Theobalds Park (near Waltham
Cross) was afterwards exchanged between Burghley's son,
the first Earl of Salisbury, and James I for Hatfield.
* MS. ' Pakellsum.' * MS. 'estate.'
\tj
.IS9V ELIZABETH JONAS 9
of a great Flemish ship of whom was master
Mr. John King of Limehouse, where I first came
acquainted with him, and in his company and Mr.
Nicolas Simonson of Limehouse, I was first brought
acquainted at Highwood Hill ^ where I first fell
in love with my now wife, which was about
St. James' tide.^ About Bartholomew tide ^ next
following, the Elizabeth Jonas was brought into her
Majesty's Dock at Woolwich, and there was the
first preferment my brother Joseph holp me
with, making me principal overseer of that busi-
ness under him. During all the time of this
work, we both lodged and dieted at old Mr.
Lydiard's * in the yard.
During the continuance of this work I did not
neglect my wooing, having taken such a liking
of the maiden that I determined resolutely (by
God's help) either to match with her or never to
marry any ; the which I with much difficulty
(praised be God) at length achieved, all my own
jfindred being much against my matching with
her, by reason of some controversies grown twixt
Mr. Nicolas Simonson and them.
Toward the end of February in this present
year, I took the lease of a new house (of Mr. William
Borough,^ then Comptroller of her Majesty's
Navy) at Limehouse by the through head,^ which
to some charge I fitted for my dwelling, although
I remained not in it little more than two years,
paying 11/. yearly rent, and 20/. income.'
1 MS. ' Hye Woodehill ' ; near MiU Hill.
* St. James's Day, 25th July.
» St. Bartholomew's Day, 24th August.
* Hugh Lydiard, senior, Clerk of the Check.
* The navigator, brother of Stephen Borough.
* Possibly the entrance to the dock.
» The * income ' was the fee or fine paid on entering upon
the lease.
10 MARRIED ' _S98
I was married to my now wife Ami, the
daughter of Richard Nicholls of Highwood Hill in
the parish of Hendon in Middlesex, a man of good
report and honest stock, the 15th day of May
1598 at Stepney Church upon a Monday in the
forenoon. I kept my wedding at my own charge
in my new dwelling house at Limehouse, accom-
panied with my brothers and sisters, my wife's
parents, and divers of her friends and kindred.
About midsummer after, was the EUzabeth
Jonas launched out of Woolwich Dock, and sudden
preparation made to have received her Majesty
aboard the ship riding afloat ; but upon some
unknown reasons her Majesty came not at all,
for even at that instant had one Mr. Wiggs^
procured commission about examination of certain
abuses in the Navy, which was pursued with
a great deal of malice against divers particu-
lar men but with little profit to her Majesty's
service.
From midsummer, all the ensuing year, till
Christmas I lay still and idle without any manner
employment or comings in but what my servants
got with working now and then abroad, which
was very little and hardly able to buy me food.
About Christmas my honourable lord and
master the Lord High Admiral commended me to
an employment in Suffolk and Norfolk for the
finishing of a purveyance of timber and plank
formerly imdertaken by one Child of Sole,^ who
dealt in Norfolk and, dying, left the business in
much disorder.
* Thomas Wiggs, a subordinate of Lord Buckhurst,
Commissioner of State Trials. He is mentioned in a letter
of Buckhurst to Cecil of 7th December 1600. Salisbury MSS,
(Hist. MSS.), X. p. 411, and in Pepys' Miscell., x. p. 349.
" Southwold.
^Hs99 EMPLOYED IN EAST ANGLIA ii
And one Robert Ungle^ who dealt in Suffolk
and, for divers abuses by him there committed, fled
the country and left aU the service in great dis-
order and spoil ; for the rectifying of which abuses,
saving of her Majesty's provisions, and discharging
of the countries,^ it pleased my Lord to make
choice of me to undertake the same, and to take
order to send in all the said provisions of timber
and plank ; which accordingly I did, using all care
and diligence in the performance of the same, both
to the content of her Majesty's service, my Lord
Admiral and the Officers of the Navy, and the
satisfaction of all countries where I had to do.
Notwithstanding through the malicious envy of
old Mathew Baker, Bright, Adye, and others ^ all
my doings and accounts were throughly sifted,
but thanks be to God nothing could be proved
against me, so that I had all my bills passed
quietly ; but by reason Mr. Fulke Greville,* being
then Treasurer of the Navy, did not greatly affect ^
me, by cause of some particular spleens between
him and Mr. John Trevor,^ then newly made
Surveyor, who was my especial and worshipful
friend, he laid a rub ' in my way, cutting me off
wrongfully of twenty pounds in my accounts after
all my bills were passed and signed by the hands of
the Principal Officers, according to the custom of
the Navy.
All this year of 1599, I spent wholly in this
service, in which time these occurrences happened.
After the decease of my dear and loving mother
there were left under the keeping of my father-in-
law/ Thomas Nunn, then Minister of Weston in
1 Or ' Vugle.' > I.e. districts.
» See Introduction. * Afterwards Lord Brooke.
* Like, favour. • See Introduction.
» An allusion to the game of bowls. • Stepfather.
12 MANSLAUGHTER OF ABIGAIL is^^
Suffolk, three sisters, vide : Abigail Pett, Elizabeth
and Mary, the youngest, and one brother named
Peter Pett, who was put out to a gentleman's
house in Suffolk to teach his children, the daugh-
ters remaining all at home with him, he being
then lately again married.
He used himself to them as a stern and cruel
father-in-law, not contented that he had brought
a general ruin upon my mother's whole family
by cosening us of all that was left us, but pro-
ceeded further, even to blood, for upon a slight
occasion about making clean his cloak, being wet
and dirty with riding a journey the day before,
he furiously fell upon my eldest sister Abigail,
beating her so cruelly with a pair of tongs and a
great firebrand that she died within three days
upon that beating and was privately by his
means buried ; but God that would not let murder
pass imrevenged, stirred up the hearts of his own
parishioners and neighbours, who, complaining
to the Justice, caused the body to be taken up,
and so by the coroner's inquest that passed upon
her and miraculous tokens of the dead corpse, as
fresh bleeding, sensible opening of one of her
eyes, and other things, he was found guilty of her
death and so committed and bound over to answer
the matter at next General Assizes to be held at
Bury, which was in the Lent after, being in this
year 1599, and in the time of my employment in
Suffolk and Norfolk.
Upon his committing, my two other poor
sisters were put by the justices to the keeping of
the town of Weston, till the assizes^ were past,
at whose hands I received them at Bury in a
miserable fashion, not having clothes nor any
necessaries fit for them ; the charge of their board
» MS. ' syses.'
i
599 DEATH OF ELIZABETH 13
I was glad to defray to the constable, and all the
charge of the assizes, where both they and my
young brother were bound to give in evidence
against our father-in-law, to whom we shewed more
mercy than he did to us, whom our spoil would not
content, but he thirsted also our blood. In his
arraignment Sir John Popham, then Lord Chief
Justice of England and Chief Judge of that circuit,
shewed such true justice (notwithstanding great
means was made for him, not only by his friends,
but by the clergy of that country), that all his
cruelty and wicked proceedings was laid open and
he, convict of manslaughter by the jury, was
committed to prison to sue for the benefit of the
Queen's pardon,^ from whence being shortly freed,
he, by God's just revenging hand, lived but a
short time after.
From the assizes at Bury I sent my brother
and my two sisters home to my wife at Limehouse,
being no small charge to me, being but newly
married and having little means but my hands to
bring in anything, yet I refused not to do the duty
of a brother to them to the utmost of my power ;
the eldest of my sisters, called Elizabeth, by
means of friends I placed in London with a
gentlewoman of good fashion, where she continued
not long, but came home sick and died at my
house as we doubted of the plague. My youngest
sister sickened also shortly after, but it proved the
small pox.
In all these extremities I had little help from
my brothers, who were bound in conscience to have
had some care of them, the small portions they had
being in the hands of my eldest brother Joseph,
yet no relief came from him towards their main-
tenance or bringing up ; but being but half brothers
* S.P. Dom. 28th May 1599 ; the name is given as ' Nun.'
14 MODEL SHIP * 159^
and sisters they thought them less bound to do
them good and therefore left all the burden upon
me, worst able of all to bear it.
My youngest sister Mary, recovering her sick-
ness, continued with me in my house contenting
herself with such breeding as I could give her ;
from whence she never removed till she was
married from me. My young brother Peter, about
the end of November, I placed with a worshipful
gentleman. Doctor Hone,^ in the Arches,^ as one
of his clerks, where he might have lived well if he
would have stayed with him.
In December this year, 1599, I began a small
model, which being perfected and very exquisitely
set out and rigged, I presented it to my good
friend Mr. John Trevor, who very kindly accepted
the same of me.
In the beginning of this year, I, having no
employment, determined with myself to have
bought some part of a castle carvel ^ and to have
gone in her myself ; whereby I hoped (by God's
blessing) to have gotten an honest and convenient
maintenance, and to that end I began to follow one
John Goodwin of London, professor of the mathe-
matics, with whom I spent three days in a week in
practice, and so was purposed to have continued
the whole year till the spring following ; but God,
who in his secret counsel had otherwise decreed of
me, altered all my determinations, for upon the
25th day of Jime I was sent for to the Court,
lying then at Greenwich, by my honourable lord
and master the Lord High Admiral who, after
some speeches expressing both his love and honour-
* Probably John Hone, Advocate of Doctors' Commons,
1589; Master in Chancery 1 596-1603.
* The ecclesiastical * Court of Arches ' held at St. Mary-le-
Bow. * A Newcastle carvel-built ship.
^ J 1600 STOREKEEPER AT CHATHAM 15
able care of me, his lordship concluded to send
me down to Chatham, where I was to succeed in
the place of one John Holding, a shipwright that
was keeper of the plank yard timber and other
provisions (upon some displeasure turned out of
all), the means whereof being but small, as 18^.
per diem and 61. per annum fee for myself, and
allowance for one servant at i6d. per diem.
I was very unwilling to undertake so mean a
place, by the which I was neither sure of competent
maintenance nor of any reputation, but that I was
encouraged by the persuasions of my ever honour-
able lord, who comforted me with promises of
better preferment to the utmost of his power;
whereupon I being contented to accept his lord-
ship's offer, I was, the 27th of the same month of
June, placed at Chatham by Sir Henry Palmer,
then Comptroller, Mr. Johii Trevor, Surveyor,
and Mr. Peter Buck, Clerk of the Ships.
At this time there was grown very high terms
of unkindness between my brother Joseph and
me about my poor sisters and brother, because he
did not only deny to be any ways contributory
to their maintenance but also made the neighbours
believe that they were brought up at his charge
in my house, because he would not be troubled
with them, when God knoweth he never disbursed
halfpenny to their bringing up, nor cared what
became of them.
Now upon this occasion of my placing at Chat-
ham, we were reconciled and ever after lived
together as loving brethren. It also happened
that Sir Fulke Greville, then Treasurer, continuing
his spleen against me for Mr. Trevor's sake,
opposed me all he could, whichjafter turned me
to much trouble.
About the time of my coming to Chatham,
:\
i6 DEATH OF PETER i6oc
Mr. Barker, the lord of the Manor, was removed
to a house he had bought at Boley HiU^ by
Rochester, by reason whereof his Manor House
wherein he formerly dwelt at Chatham was void,
the which house by means of my brother Joseph's
encouragement I ventured upon and took a lease
for twenty-one years, paying 25/. income, the
which lease was sealed unto, me the 17th day of
October, 1600.
The i6th day of June in this year my youngest
brother Peter, having, against all the consent of his
friends and without their knowledge, forsaken his
Worshipful master Doctor Hone's service and be-
taken himself to disordered courses, sickened at
London at the sign of the Dolphin in Water Lane,
and the 21st day after deceased of the small pox
before I knew he was sick, whose charge both of his
sickness and funeral I was at, and saw him seemly
interred, accompanied with a good company of my
friends, in Barking churchyard ^ in Tower Street,
the 23rd of the same month of June 1600.
The 24th October, having bestowed all my
poor stock upon the lease of my house and the
furnishing of the same in some convenient manner,
I shipped the same in [an] hoy of Rainham' and
so removed to Chatham, myself going down in the
hoy ; where I missed a great danger, for at the west
end of the Nore about 3 of the clock in the morning,
25th day, we were like to be surprised by a picking
Dunkirk * full of men who, being at our passing by
(although it was very dark) at an anchor, suddenly
weighed and gave us chase, and had boarded us
had not God prevented him by our bearing up,
» MS.' Bulley ' ; the high ground south of Rochester Castle.
• ' All Hallows, Barking,' founded by the nuns of Barking
Abbey, whence the name.
» MS. * raynam.* « Thievish Dunldrker.
i6o2 ASSISTANT MASTER SHIPWRIGHT 17
the wind being at east ; and running ourselves on
shore within the Swatch/ the next day we got
safe as high as GilHngham.
My dwelHng house at Limehouse I passed away
with a great deal of loss, both of income, rent and
wainscotting to the value of 50/., putting it over at
10/. per annum, when I was bound by lease to pay
11^. Yet was I glad to be rid of it upon any
condition.
Presently after Christyde ^ my wife, being great
with child, fell sick at Chatham and grew so weak
that I was forced, about the loth of March follow-
ing, to remove her, not without great hazard, to
London, and from there to her father's house at
Highwood Hill in Middlesex, where the 23rd day
of March after, thanks be given to God, she was
delivered of her first born son, John Pett ; from
whence she returned to Chatham in safety some
two months after.
Much about this time I was made an assistant
to the Master Shipwrights at Chatham, in the room
of Thomas Bodman. In this year the first business
I undertook was the repairing of the Lion's Whelp
hauled up at the storehouse end at Chatham.
In the year 1602 I also new built the Moon,
hauled up in the same place, enlarging her both in
length and breadth, and this year also, I, with
Mr. Pickasee, undertook the victualling of the ship-
wrights and caulkers at Chatham, which we con-
tinued only two months, to our great loss ; which
we could never get recompensed by reason Mr.
Fulke Greville continued my heavy enemy, and
was content to receive and countenance informa-
tions against me, because he could not win me to
such conditions as he laboured me in, both against
» Swatchway ; the channel south of the Nore Sand.
* Christmas.
l6 FULKE GREVILLE i6o^
my good friend Sir John Trevor (who then lay-
very dangerously sick at Plymouth) and against
many others serving with me at Chatham. The
principal informer and stirrer in this business
against me was one George Collins, sometimes
carpenter of the Foresight, a very stubborn and
malicious fellow, who by Mr. Greville's counten-
ance was suffered to sue me at the common law
upon an action of trespass for striking him with
a little rod upon the shoulder in the Queen's
yard at Chatham, upon a cause of mutiny in the
time of victualling ; and so little relief had I against
him, notwithstanding my Lord Admiral's favour,
that I was forced to compound with him and
gave him 20 nobles ^ ready money for satisfaction.
Thus it pleased God to exercise me with continual
trouble and hindrances in the beginning of my
service.
In November this present year, 1602, Mr.
Greville, having undertaken the preparation of a
Fleet with her Majesty, to be ready fitted to sea
by a set time, was contented (upon my promise
to him to procure the said Fleet to be fitted in
six weeks) to receive me to his favour, which
promise I accordingly (by God's gracious assist-
ance) fully accomplished ; by which means I had
gained his love, favour and good opinion, had
there not happened a sudden alteration by the
death of her Majesty which presently followed.
The i8th day of March 1603,^ my wife was
deUvered of her second son, Henry, at my house at
Chatham.
The 24th day of the same month, her Majesty
of sacred memory deceased at Richmond.
* Originally half a mark, or 6s. 8^., afterwards los.
• 1602, according to the Old Style, as it is before the 25th
March.
1
i6o3 PLAGUE 19
The same day his Majesty, whom God grant
long to reign, was proclaimed at Westminster,
London, and other places, and the next day,
being Friday and market day, at Rochester.
This year happened the great plague through-
out England, but especially about London, by
reason whereof many removed from thence into
divers places in the country where they had any
friends or means of succour.
In the middle of July my brother Joseph, with
his wife and children, removed from his house
at Limehouse to Ipswich.
To transport them thither by sea I procured
a small pinnace of his Majesty's to be prepared
ready, called the Primrose, and manning her with
my good friends and neighbours as Boatswain
Vale,^ David Duck, Mr. Rock, Robert Perin,
Jarvis Mins, and divers others, together with
myself, we embarked at Chatham the 14th of July,
1603, and in Tilbury Hope took in our passengers ;
and the i6th day in the afternoon landed them
safely at Ipswich, where of their friends we
received very great entertainment, staying there
about 4 days ; and the 21st day we arrived again
at Chatham, thanks be to God, in health, about
4 of the clock in the afternoon.
The sickness beginning to be very hot at
Chatham, upon the persuasions of some of my
friends I removed my wife and children from
thence to my wife's father's in Middlesex, shipping
them away in the same vessel I had to Ipswich,
and landing at Dagenham ^ in Essex, had horses
there met us, and so journeyed to High wood Hill.
This voyage was taken from Chatham the i6th of
^ Or Avale, see p. 86 ; for many years the pilot for ^the
river and Downs. The Commission of 1618 proposed to
pension him as ' aged and bhnd.* * MS. ' Dagnam.'
20 EDWARD STEVENS 1603
August ; we came to Highwood Hill the 19th day,
where my wife and children remained till the
3rd of October following, which day we took our
journey to Dagenham, where the next day we were
stayed by a great rain, but the 4th day we came
over the ferry at Greenhithe ^ and safely home,
thanks be given to God, at 4 of the clock that
afternoon.
This summer I began to new-build the Answer,
being hauled up and blocked at the end of the
storehouse at Chatham.
The loth of November my landlord Mr. Barker,
with some of his family, sojourned with me at
Chatham, where they remained till the 28th day
of the same month, and then returned to their own
house at Boley Hill.
During this time I divers times solicited my
brother to be joined patentee with him, but his
remissness caused me to overslip opportunity so
long that one Mr. Stevens* of Limehouse, this
year, by means of some great friends about my
Lord Admiral, got a general reversion of all the
Master Shipwrights' places, cutting me off from
all hopes of any timely preferment, to my great
discouragement considering what pains I took at
Chatham to further his Majesty's service.
When I was most dejected with the conceit of
this injury, as I took it, it pleased God of His great
mercy to me, even then when I least expected
any such thing, to raise me up a means of some
hope of preferment after this manner ; for about
the 15th of January, being at Ratcliff with my
wife, to christen her sister Simonson's daughter
Martha, there was, unknown unto me, a letter
sent post to Chatham from my honourable Lord
Admiral, commanding me with all possible speed
* MS. ' Grenehyve.' • See Introduction.
i6o4 SHIP FOR PRINCE HENRY 21
to build a little vessel for the young prince Henry
to disport himself in above London Bridge, and to
acquaint his Grace with shipping and the manner
of that element, setting me down the proportions
and the manner of her garnishing, which was
to be like the work of the Ark Royal, battlement
wise. This little ship was in length by the keel
25 foot, and 12 foot in breadth, garnished with
painting and carving both within board and with-
out very curiously, according to his Lordship's
directions. I laid her keel the 19th day of Janu-
ary, wrought upon her as well day as all night
by torch and candle lights under a great awning
made with sails for that purpose.
The 6th day of March after, I launched the
ship, being upon a Tuesday, with a noise ^ of
trumpets, drums, and such like ceremonies at
such time used.
I set sail with her on the Friday after, being
the 9th day, from Chatham. Between the Nore
head and the east end of Tilbury we had a very
great storm, so that it was Sunday before we could
get Gravesend ; and on Monday morning, being
the 12th day, we anchored at Blackwall. Mr.
George Wilson, then boatswain of the Lion, was
master with me, and myself captain, and I was
manned with almost all boatswains of the Navy
and other choice men.
On Wednesday, being the 14th day of March,
by my Lord Admiral's commandment we weighed
from Limehouse, and anchored right against the
Tower before the King's lodgings, his Majesty
then lying there before his riding through London.
There the young Prince, accompanied with the
Lord Admiral and divers of the Lords, came and
took great pleasure in beholding of the ship, being
» Band.
22 CHRISTENING 1604
furnished at all points with ensigns and pendants.
The i6th day, being Friday, we unrigged and shot
the bridge, and the 17th day we rigged again and
received both ordnance and powder from the
Tower.
On Sunday in the afternoon, being the i8th
day, fitted with a noise of trumpets and drums
and fife, we weighed and turned up with the wind
at south-west as high as Lambeth, with multitudes
of boats and people attending upon us. As we
passed by Whitehall, I saluted the Court with a
volley of small shot and our great ordnance, and
upon the ebb, turning down again, we did the like,
and then taking in our sails we came to an anchor
right against the Privy Stairs.
On Monday the 19th day his Majesty went by
barge to the Parliament. We shot our great and
small ordnance of round,^ both at his taking barge
and landing.
All Tuesday and Wednesday we rode still,
without doing anything but giving entertainment
to gentlemen of the King's and Prince's servants
that hourly came aboard of us.
On Thursda}^ morning, being the 22nd day, I
received a commandment from the Lord Admiral
to prepare the ship and all things fitting to receive
the young prince aboard of us in the afternoon;
who accordingly presently ^ after dinner came
aboard us in his barge accompanied with the Lord
High Admiral, Earl of Worcester, and divers other
noblemen. We presently weighed and fell down
as far as Paul's Wharf,^ under both our topsails
* Round shot. At that period salutes were fired with
shotted guns, not with blank charges.
■ Immediately.
■ South of St. Paul's, and on the east side of Baynard's
Castle.
i6o4 OF THE DISDAIN 23
and foresail, and there came to an anchor ; and then
his Grace/ according to the manner in such cases
used; with a great bowl of wine christened the
ship and called her by the name of the Disdain.
His Grace then withdrawing himself with the
lords into the great cabin, there my honourable
lord, and till then master,^ with his own hands
presented me to his Grace, using many favourable
words (beyond my deserts) in my commendations,
with this addition, that I was a servant worthy the
acceptance of the greatest prince of the world.
From his hands it pleased his Grace very thank-
fully to receive me as his servant, with many
promises of his princely favour to me. The next
day, being Friday and the 23rd of March, it pleased
my Lord Admiral to entreat my worthy friend
Sir John ^ Trevor to accompany me to the Lord
Thomas Howard, then Lord Chamberlain, from
whom receiving a ticket, I was sent to St. James',
:he Prince's house, where by Mr. Alexander and
Mr. Abington, then gentlemen ushers, I was sworn
his Grace's servant, and by them presented to the
Prince before he went to dinner, with as much
favour and respect as I could desire.
During this time of my attendance at the Court
as his Grace's Captain of his ship, it pleased my
honourable Lord Admiral to give order to Sir
Thomas Windebank,* one of the Clerks of the
Signet, to draw me a bill for the reversion of Mr.
Baker's or my brother Joseph Pett's place, which
iirst should happen to be void, notwithstanding the
letters patent formerly granted to Mr. Stevens ;
which accordingly was with all expedition per-
^ I.e. Prince Henry.
* I.e. the Lord High Admiral.
» M.S. ' Ihon,' mis-transcribed in the Harl. MS. here and
elsewhere as * Thomas.' * M.S. ' Winebancke.'
24 BUILDS RESISTANCE 1604
formed, and the nth of April following was
presented to his Majesty and signed, and shortly
after passed the great seal ; for the w^hole charge
whereof I gave Sir Thomas Windebank 17/.
About the same time Sir Robert Mansell had his
patent passed for the Treasurer of his Majesty's
Navy.
The 3rd of May, after my return to Chatham
from my attendance at Court, I began to set up a
small ship at Gillingham in David Duck's yard at
my own charges ; and the 17th day of the same
month also was launched the Answer, whom I
had new built, who by carelessness ran off before
her time without any great hurt, thanks be to
God therefor. About the midst of June following,
the preparation was begun for the entertainment
of his Majesty aboard the ships at Chatham, where
I took both extraordinary care and pains, which
my envious enemies Mr. Baker and Mr. Bright
sought by all means to disgrace, even at the instant
time when his Majesty was to come on board the
Elizabeth ; but the Lord diverted all their malice
by the countenance of my old master the Lord
Admiral who, approving my honest endeavours
and finding the success answerable in all respects
to his Lordship's expectation, dismissed them with
sharp rebukes and encouraged me with no small
commendation. This happened the 4th of July,
1604.
The 12th of November after, I launched the
new ship at Gillingham, which was begun in May
preceding, and called her'^ name the Resistance.
And in the beginning of December following /
carried her up to Limehouse, and there hauled her on
shore at the south side of my brother Joseph's ivharf,
where she lay till I had sold away part of her.
* The words in italics are wanting in the original MS.
i6o5 VOYAGE TO SPAIN 25
The 21st of January following I sold one-third
part of her to Sir Robert Mansell and another third
to Sir John Trevor, and the other third I reserved
to myself.
I rigged her and prepared her with all her furni-
ture to attend the Lord High Admiral of England
in his journey into Spain when he went Ambassador,
and made ready the Bear and the rest of his
Majesty's ships at Chatham that went that voyage,
myself being commanded by his Lordship to
wait upon him in his own ship, the Bear, which
accordingly I performed.
The 24th of March I took my leave of the most
noble Prince my master at Greenwich, being Sun-
day in the afternoon ; and the 28th day of the
same month following I took leave of my wife
and children at Chatham and attended the Lord
Ambassador on board the Bear in his own barge,
the whole fleet then riding at Queenborough, from
whence we set sail the last day, being Sunday and
Easter day.
The 4th day of April we'^ came to an anchor in
Dover Road, and the 10th day after we lost the sight of
the Lizard. The next day, being the ZTth, the Lord
Ambassador sent me aboard my own ship, the Resist-
ance, with one Captain Morgan, with certain direc-
tions, to the Groyne.^ But by the overbearing oj
Captain Morgan, his Lordship altering his deter-
mination came into the Groyne two days before us,
where we also arrived the 16th day, being Tuesday.
The 20th of April, being Saturday, I set sail
with the Resistance out of the Groyne, with
instructions to go for Lisbon, where I arrived the
24th after, and there stayed to despatch my
affairs till the 9th day of May following ; from
* The words ia italics are wanting in the original MS.
* Coruiia.
26 VOYAGE TO SPAIN 1605
whence I set sail for St. Lucar,^ and arrived there
the nth day in the afternoon, being Saturday;
from whence I went by passage boat, leaving my
ship at Bonanza, 2 to Seville ; ^ from whence, after
three days stay there, I returned to my ship the
17th day of the same month.
From St. Lucar I set sail the 2nd day of June,
and plying it up for Cape St. Mary's * with a con-
trary wind, I put room 5 the 5th day for Cales*
road, from whence, putting to sea again the 8th
day, I arrived back again at the Groyne the 19th
day, according as my instructions directed me.
Where going ashore to the Governor and under-
standing the fleet to be all gone to St. Anderas'
and that the Lord Ambassador was already (as
he said) embarked for England, I put to sea again
presently, directing my course for England. The
23rd day I made the Start, and the 26th day of
June, being Wednesday, I landed at Rye in the
forenoon ; from whence I came post to my house
at Chatham, with much rain, thunder, and
lightning all the way, where I lighted about 10
of the clock at night.
In the midst of July, after my return home,
I let out my ship, the Resistance, to merchants
for a voyage into the Straits by the month, one
Mr. Burgess going master, and my friend William
Gibbons, his mate and purser. I docked her,
sheathed her, and fitted her, and she went from
Gravesend the 23rd day of August following.
In the midst of October following I made a
journey into Hampshire, to make a survey of a
* San Lucar, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir.
■ MS. * Bonance ' : opposite San Lucar.
• MS. 'Civill.' * C. de Sta. Maria.
• Bore away. • Cadiz.
* Santander.
i6o5 MASTER SHIPWRIGHT 27
part of the forest of East Bere/ being then in the
occupation of the Right Honourable the Earl of
Worcester, of whom, after my return. Sir Robert
Mansell and Sir John Trevor bought 3000 trees.
At my return to London from that journey I
found my eldest brother Joseph Pett, then dwell-
ing at Limehouse, very dangerously sick, of the
which he never recovered but departed this life
the 15th day of November about 9 of the clock in
the forenoon, being Friday.
He was buried in the chancel in Stepney Church
the 1 8th day of November in the forenoon, accom-
panied with my good friends Sir Robert Mansell,
Sir Henry Palmer, Sir John Trevor, then Principal
Officers of His Majesty's Navy, and many other
good friends and neighbours, who after the funeral
returned to my brother's house, where they all
were welcomed with a very great dinner and feast.
Presently after my brother's decease, it pleased
my very good lord, the Lord High Admiral, to
grant his warrant for my entrance into my
brother's place, to the effect of my letters patent,
notwithstanding the claim made unto it by one
Edward Stevens ^ of Limehouse, who had formerly
procured a general reversion of all the Master
Shipwrights' places, but by reason the fee was
mistaken, wherein his Majesty was abused and
charged with an innovation, he could not prevail
in his claim, albeit he often petitioned the Lords
of the Council and made great friends against me ;
yet it pleased God, by the noble favour of the Prince
my master, and the Lord Admiral's countenance,
I enjoyed my place with a general approbation
both of the State and Officers ; and so finished this
year of 1605.
1 In Hampshire, north of Havant.
? See Introduction.
28 BIRTH OF RICHARD 1606
I had forgotten ^ to insert in his proper place
the birth of two sons, which it pleased God were
born unto me, the eldest whereof named John
was born at Highwood Hill, in my wife's father's
house, in the Parish of Hendon in Middlesex, the
23rd day of March, 1600. The second son named
Henry was born in my house at Chatham in Kent
the i8th of March in anno Domini 1602.
The I2th of January following I began a
journey into Hampshire, into the forest of East
Bere, where I spent the rest of that month in
making choice of the trees were bought of the
Earl of Worcester ; which business performed, and
my good friend David Duck undertaking the
whole charge of the same in the behalf of Sir
Robert Mansell and Sir John Trevor, I returned
home to my house at Chatham in the beginning of
February.
The 2ist of June succeeding it pleased God my
wife was safely delivered of our third son Richard
Pett at my house in Chatham.
The 8th day of July I took another journey
into Hampshire into Bere forest, as well to survey
how the business was ordered as to carry down
money to David Duck ; from whence I returned
home the 14th day of the same month.
The 17th day of July, his Majesty the noble
King of Denmark arrived in England, against
whose coming, being but only supposed some two
months before, I received private directions from
the Lord Admiral and some of the Principal
Officers to have all the ships put into a comely
readiness, which accordingly was performed in a
decent and warlike manner, as if they had been
* This is a mistake. He has already given the date of birth
of John as 23rd March 1601-2 and of Henry as i8th March
1602-3 ; see pp. 17 and 18.
i6o6 ROYAL VISIT TO CHATHAM 29
prepared to sea ; but upon the news of his certain
arrival they were all rigged and furnished with
their ordnance, and a great preparation was made
aboard the Elizabeth Jonas and the Bear, for
entertaining the Kings, Queen, Prince, and all the
other State and Troupes ; ^ wherein I confess I
strove extraordinarily to express my service for
the honour of the Kingdom, but by reason the
time limited was short, and the business great,
we laboured night and day to effect it ; which
accordingly was performed, to the great honour of
our sovereign King and Master and no less admira-
tion of all strangers that were eye witnesses of the
same.
The solemnity of this entertainment was per-
formed the loth day of August, being Sunday.
At this time Sir Oliver Cromwell ^ and other gentle-
men, my good friends, w^ere lodged at my house.
Presently after the King of Denmark was
returned into his own country, order was taken
by the Lords of his Majesty's Council, together
with the Lord Admiral, for the dry docking of
four of his Majesty's ships, videlicet, the Ark
Royal, the Victory, the Golden Lion, and the
Swiftsure ; the two latter being appointed to be
docked at Deptford, commended to the charge of
old Mathew Baker ; the other two, being ships
royal, appointed to Woolwich and committed
to my charge (by reason the Victory was given by
the King to the Prince, whose servant I being, it
was held fit to be most proper to me, which bred
me no small trouble and question afterward).^
About the beginning of September following I
received warrant and directions from the Principal
* Suites.
* Of Hinchinbrook, a gentleman of the Privy Chamber,
uncle of the Protector. » In 1608, see Introduction.
30 MASTER OF THE 1606
Officers of the Navy for preparing the dock at
Woolwich to receive the ships formerly appointed
for that place ; which accordingly being effected,
the 8th of October ensuing I docked the Victory,
and the next day after, being Thursday, I docked
the Ark, hastened the shutting in of the dock gates,
shored them, and discharged my company the
3rd day of November following ; but the 21st day
of the same month I had order to press in new men,
to rip and lay open the state of the ships, which in
a short time being performed, I discharged my
company the nth of December after.
Towards the fine of January ensuing, I received
warrant for the surveying of the forest of Alice
Holt^ in Hampshire, and the forest of Shotover
near Oxford. I began my journey thither from
London the 27th day of the same month, and
returned back to London the second day of Feb-
ruary, with a good account of my service ; within
short time after, warrants being granted for the
number of trees to be taken in both these places,
I substituted my brother Peter, my purveyor
in Alice Holt, and one Richard Meritt, purveyor
for Shotover.
About the 15th day of April 1607, I received
warrant for going in hand with the ships at Wool-
wich, whereupon I removed thither with my house-
hold presently after, and began first to work upon
the Ark with a small company, till provisions could
be brought in to put on more workmen, which was
not till the beginning of August following, at which
time I began to victual all the workmen, on a
Monday, being the 3rd day of the same month.
The 25th day of the same month, I was elected
and sworn Master of the Company of Shipwrights,
^ MS. * Alceholte ' (Aisholt=Ashwood), near the Surrey
border S.W. of Farnham.
1607 COMPANY OP SHIPWRIGHTS 31
and kept a solemn feast with a great number of
our friends, well stored with venison, at the
King's Head in New Fish Street .^
After my settling at Woolwich I began a curious
model for the Prince my master, most part whereof
I wrought with my own hands ; which being most
fairly garnished with carving and painting, and
placed in a frame arched, covered, and curtained
with crimson taffety, was, the loth day of Novem-
ber, by me presented to the Lord High Admiral
at his lodging at Whitehall. His Lordship, well
approving of it, after I had supped with his honour
that night, gave me commandment to carry the
same to Richmond, where the Prince my master
then lay; which accordingly was performed the
next day after, being Tuesday and the nth day.
On Wednesday morning, being the 12th day,
having acquainted Sir David Murray ^ with my
business, and he delivering the same to his High-
ness, order was given to have the model brought
and placed in a private room in the long gallery,
where his Highness determined to see it in the
afternoon, but my ever honoured old lord and
master, unknown to me, studying by all means to
do me good, had acquainted his Majesty with
this thing, and the same day, unlooked for of
any, procured his Majesty to make a purposed ^
journey from Whitehall to Richmond, to see the
same model, whither he came in the afternoon
about 3 of the clock, accompanied only with the
Prince, the Lord Admiral and one or two attend-
ants. His Majesty was exceedingly dehghted
with the sight of the model, and spent some time
* At the northern approach to old London Bridge.
^ The poet, then gentleman of the bedchamber to Prince
Henry.
* I.e, for this special purpose.
32 MODEL OF PRINCE ROYAL 1607
in questioning me divers material things concern-
ing the same, and demanding whether I would
build the great ship in all points like to the same,
for I will (said his Majesty) compare them together
when she shall be finished.
Then the Lord Admiral commanded me to
report to his Majesty the story of the 3 ravens
I had seen at Lisbon, in St. Vincent's Church,*
which I did as well as I could, with my best expres-
sion, though somewhat daunted at the first at his
Majesty's presence, having never before this
time spoken before any King. It pleased his
Majesty to accept all things in good part, and to
use me very graciously ; and so returned back to
Whitehall again the same night.
The succeeding year brought with it many
great troubles, for the Lord of Northampton having,
by the instigation of some that were no great well
willers to the honourable Admiral and some of the
Principal Officers of his Majesty's Navy in especial
favour with his Lordship, had procured a great
and large ^ commission from his Majesty for the
inquiring of all abuses and misdemeanours com-
mitted by all Officers in their several places, imder
colour of reformation and saving great sums to
his Majesty, which he expended yearly in the
* A legend concerning the relics of St. Vincent, who suffered
martyrdom at Valencia in a.d. 304. His body on being
exposed to wild beasts was said to have been protected by a
raven. During the Moorish invasion of Spain these remains
were removed from Valencia to Cape St. Vincent, and in the
twelfth century were brought by water from that Cape to the
cathedral of Lisbon and placed in the Chapel of St. Vincent.
Two (not three) ravens, who watched over his tomb, accom-
panied the ship on its voyage, remaining on watch when the
rehcs were deposited in the cathedral. The ship and the
two birds appear in the arms of Lisbon.
* I.e. of ample powers.
i6o8 COMMISSION OF INQUIRY 33
maintenance of his ships ; which inquisition was
presented with such extremity of mahce as not
only many were brought into great question and
tossed to and fro before the commissioners at
Westminster, to their no small charge and vexation,
but the government itself of that Royal Office
was so shaken and disjointed as brought almost
imminent ruin upon the whole Navy, and a far
greater charge to his Majesty in his yearly expense,
than was ever known before. In this great inquisi-
tion it pleased God, for punishment of my sins, to
suffer me to be grievously persecuted and pubhcly
arraigned, as shall be in his proper place at more
large described.
The parties informers ^ were many, whereof
some were principal members of the Navy and had
been raised from nothing by the noble favours of
the good Lord Admiral, against whom they were
contented to take party ; by name Sir Peter Buck,
Clerk of the Ships, Thomas Buck, his brother,
under clerk to him, Mr. Mathew Baker, WilUam
Bright, principal Master Shipwrights to his
Majesty, Hugh Meritt, one of the six Masters,
Hugh Lydiard, Clerk of the Check at Woolwich,
Thomas Norreys, and one Clifton, a baker, sometime
Pursers of ships in the Navy, with divers others.
Pursers, Boatswains, Gunners, and Carpenters.
These were assisted with many others, as one
Edward Stevens, a shipwright and yard keeper
of Limehouse, and was in reversion for a Master
Shipwright's place * to his Majesty, Thomas
Graves of Limehouse, shipwright and yard keeper,
Nicholas Clay of Redriif,* shipwright and yard
keeper, George Waymouth, sometime a master
and mariner, one Tranckmore, a shipwright ; with
* See the list and notes at pp. 54-5. ^ Ante, p. 20.
» Rotherhithe ; MS. ' Redreife.'
34 PRINCE HENRTS VISIT 1608
divers others that were either drawn into this
business upon private ends of their own or wrought
in with great hopes of future preferment.
The persons principally questioned and aimed
at (leaving the great master of the office) were Sir
Robert Mansell, then Treasurer, Sir John Trevor,
Surveyor, Sir Henry Palmer, Comptroller, Captain
Thomas Button, John Legatt, Clerk of the Check
at Chatham, myself, and Sir Thomas Bludder,^
then Victualler to the Navy.
This year, in the end of July, I began the new
gates for Woolwich Dock, and set up a dam with-
out them, so that we wrought always dry ; which
gates were placed, set up, and finished, and the
dam taken away, within the space of nine weeks ;
wherein I saved to his Majesty above four hundred
pounds, according to a former estimate made of the
charge of the same under the hands of his Majesty's
Master Shipwrights.
During this business at Woolwich it pleased
God that my wife was safely delivered of her
fourth son in Mr. Lydiard's house in the yard the
27th April 1608, and was baptized in Woolwich
Church the 5th of May following, and named
Joseph.
About the beginning of August it pleased the
Prince's Highness my master to send me word
that he would come to Woolwich at his return out
of Essex from the Lord Petre's,^ whither his
Grace was then going in progress ; and on Saturday
after, being the 13th day of August, his Highness
took his barge at Blackwall, and came by water
to Woolwich about noon, accompanied only with
his own train, where I received him on shore at
the yard stairs. On the poop of the Ann Royal
was placed a noise of trumpets, an ensign, and
» MS. ' Bluther.' * MS. ' Peter.'
i6o8 TO WOOLWICH 35
two ensigns upon the heads of both the mizens.
After my duty presented to his Highness with the
best expression I could, to cause him to under-
stand his welcome to that place and how much
it would joy all seamen's hearts to perceive his
Highness so well addicted to his Majesty's ships
and the sight of them, I conducted his Highness
round about the dock, and so directly aboard the
Ann Royal to the very top of her poop where, after
my duty performed, I gave a secret signal (as was
before concluded between us) to my good friend
Mr. Wilham Bull, then Master Gunner of England,
who stood ready prepared upon a mount in Mr.
Hugh Lydiard's garden with thirty-one great brass
chambers,^ orderly and distinctly placed, which,
with Mr. Gunner's help, I had procured from the
Tower for that purpose. He, presently receiving
the signal, diligently attending the same, gave fire
to the train, and so discharged the whole volley
with so good order as gave a marvellous pleasing
content to his Highness (and the more because
he expected no such thing, but that it was done
suddenly).
When the ordnance gave over, I then kneeled
down to his Highness and besought him to be
pleased to accept this poor sea entertainment
from me, as an unfeigned earnest of my duty to
him, which I would hereafter strive to express in
better manner if his Highness would be pleased
graciously to receive this his first homely welcome.
His Highness then, having answered my request
with a princely acceptance, commanded me to
lead into all the places of the ship ; which having
viewed with a great deal of delightful judgment,
1 A small piece of ordnance without carriage, used for
firing salutes. This was not the * chamber ' used with the
early breech-loading ordnance.
36 ROYAL VISIT 1608
I led his Grace into the Yard, and so to the place
where the keel, stem, and stern of his own ship,
which was to be built, lay ready framed ; which
having perused very seriously, and caused the
length of the keel to be measured, I besought his
Grace to walk into the house to rest himself,
which his Highness wiUingly condescending unto,
I conducted him unto Mr. Lydiard's parlour where
was prepared a set banquet of sweet meats and all
other fruits the season of the year could yield,
with plentiful store of wine, both Rhenish white,
sack, Greek wine and claret. His Highness was
well pleased to take his refection, and after the
banquet done, giving his hand to kiss to divers
gentlewomen of the town that were in the room
together with my wife, his Highness desired to be
brought to the mount where the chambers were
placed, which were again laden in this interim
and ranged in their first order with the train
made ready. This sight so much pleased his
Grace that he was very desirous to have the train
fired, his Highness standing by, but at my humble
entreaty, understanding what danger was incident
to such a business, he gave me order that, at the
holding up of his handkerchief in his barge, I
should see them put off ; and so taking notice of
Mr. Bull and giving him his hand to kiss, taking
his leave, I conducted his Highness to his barge,
being the top of full sea ; where kissing his hand
upon my knee, he expressed how kindly he accepted
his welcome, using many gracious speeches to me,
and so putting off. I returned to the mount,
and, upon his Highness' signal given me, the train
was fired and the chambers delivered their loud
voices in as distinct order as at the first, to the
great delight of his Highness, and general applause
of all others there present.
i6o8 ARK BECOMES ANNE ROYAL 37
Having now finished, by God's providence
and gracious assistance, the Ark, which I began to
repair in Woolwich Dock in May, was twelve-
month before, on the 29th day of September, 1608,
I launched her. It was a very blustering day,
the wind at south-west, but, thanks be to God, with
a little difficulty she was launched and brought
safely to her moorings. Her name was altered
and given by the mouth of my very good friend
Sir Oliver Cromwell, in presence of Sir Robert
Mansell, Sir John Trevor and Captain Button,
divers other gentlemen being on board, with his
Majesty's trumpets and drums ; her name was
given the Anne Royal. These knights, with the
Lady Mansell, the Lady Trevor, Mrs. Button, and
sundry others, dined this day with me at Wool-
wich in Mr. Lydiard's parlour, my lodgings being
as yet not altered, and therefore inconvenient
for entertaining of any friends of account ; which
lodgings I after by warrant repaired and made
as they now are, for which I was greatly ques-
tioned by the Lord of Northampton in his inquisi-
tion, and stand upon his book of reformation at
large recorded.
The 20th October following, being Thursday,
by God's good help I lay the keel of the new great
ship^ upon the blocks in the dock, and the 28th
day following, of the same month, I raised her
stern, and presently after the stem, and proceeded
in order with the floor ^ as fast as I could, not-
withstanding the many practices underhand at-
tempted to have diverted the whole course of that
* The Prince Royal,
» MS. ' flower.' * Floor — are those timbers lying trans-
verse to the keel, being bolted through it . . . and strictly
taken, is so much only of her bottom as she rests upon when
lying aground.' — ^Blanckley, Naval Expositor.
38 THE BUILDING OF 1608
building, as hereafter in his proper place shall be
discovered.
During the time that I proceeded on with the
new frame, the inquisition against the Navy then
growing to the height and prosecuted with ex-
tremity of malice against Sir John Trevor, Sir
Robert Mansell, and some others, amongst whom
myself held not the least place, about the fine of
March, 1609, there was discovered unto me (by
Mr. Sebastian Vicars, Carver to the Ships, my ever
true and faithful friend) a secret combination
against me concerning the building of the great
ship, suggested first by the practice of my fellows,
old Mr. Mathew Baker and Mr. WilUam Bright,
old adversaries to my name and family, assisted by
Edward Stevens, a Master Shipwright, who laid
great claim to my place by a former patent to him
granted under the broad seal of England, with
some other shipwrights also joined with them by
especial warrant from the great Lord of North-
ampton, my most implacable enemy ; my fellows
bearing me no small grudge because by the Prince's
Highness' means, my master, I was preferred to
that great business before them ; and Mr. Stevens
malicing me because he could not prevail against
me to recover my place from me.
They had also won to their party by much
importunity, and by means of a particular letter
directed from the Lord Northampton to him to
that very purpose, a great braggadocio, a vain
and idle fellow sometime a mariner and master,
called by the name of Captain George Waymouth ;
who, having much acquaintance abroad amongst
gentlemen, was to disperse the insufficiency of my
business, reporting how I was no artist, and
altogether insufficient to perform such a service,
of no experience, and that the King's Majesty
i6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 39
was cosened and all the charge lost, and the frame
of her was unfit for any use but a dung boat, with
many other such false opprobrious defamations,
wherein he was better practised than in any other
profession.
These rumours being thus divulged, the report
thereof coming to Mr. Sebastian Vicars* ears was
the cause that he, out of his great love and honesty
to me, wrote to me what he heard abroad, wishing
me to keep a careful watch over myself, for that
they would bend all their practices, powers and
friends, to the disgracing of the building and
ruining of me. But I, being very confident of the
goodness of my cause (though I received that
admonition as from a dear friend with much
acknowledgment of his love and care of me), yet,
little regarding what their malicious practices
could bring forth, made small reckoning of their
plottings till such time as the good honest man,
understanding from some of their own mouths
what was intended against me, made a purposed
journey to me to Woolwich (though he was then
scarce able to travel by reason of a tedious^
sickness) and there thoroughly possessed me of
the certainty of what he before by his writing had
truly informed me.
I, now perceiving it was no idle flim flam ^ as
I before supposed, considered that the goodness
of my cause might by my secure ^ neglect either
suffer hazard, or be overborne by greatness,
began to call my wits about me and to advise
what was to be done in the business; at which
time, to make good the supposition, I received a
message by word of mouth from a worthy gentle-
man, and good friend of mine, Mr. William Burrell,
principal Master Workman to the East India
* Troublesome, painful. » Lie. ■ Careless.
40 THE BUILDING OF 1609
Company, of all their project, which was discovered
to him particularly by that Captain Waymouth,
being at that instant time between drunk and
sober.
The 13th of April this Waymouth was, by
consent of the rest, sent to Woolwich to survey
my work, and thereupon to deliver his opinion, and
I in the mean time was appointed to be at Redriff
at a meeting at a court held for the incorporation
of Shipwrights, whereof I was then Master, that
in my absence he might have the better oppor-
tunity to perform his malicious instructions, as he
was directed by his great masters ; of the which
his purpose I receiving certain intelligence, leav-
ing my intended journey to Redriif, I awaited
his coming, and, receiving him after a courteous
manner, after some discourse and ordinary com-
phments he returned back to his confederates,
frustrate of his great purpose.
Within some few days after, I wrote something
to this purpose to my very good friends Sir
Robert Mansell and Sir John Trevor, being then
Treasurer and Surveyor of the Navy, desiring
them, for that it was a business highly concerning
the honour of our honourable lord the Lord High
Admiral and their own particular reputations, they
would be pleased to take the pains to make a sud-
den journey to Woolwich, there truly to inform
themselves not only concerning the state of the
work but of divers other material business where-
with I was to acquaint them at their coming
thither. According to my request, they both
came the next day ; where being throughly pos-
sessed of all the passages and occurrences concern-
ing the project of our adversaries, after they had
carefully also surveyed the work, with all other
things necessary to be advised of, leaving with
t6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 41
me, with good deliberation, instructions how to
proceed in my defence, they departed again to
Westminster the same afternoon.
Presently after the departure of these gentle-
men, desiring first the Lord to guide and direct
my pen so as might best tend to his glory and the
discharge of my duty, I betook myself to my
study and in the briefest manner I could I certified
the Lord Admiral of the truth of all the whole
project plotted against me, with the names of the
principalest actors therein, and the reasons induc-
ing them unto it ; withal earnestly beseeching his
Lordship to be pleased, since the matter so nearly
concerned his Majesty's profit, the honour of the
state, his Lordship's own safety, and the reputa-
tion of his Office, to leave all respect of my par-
ticular good and to procure such a view to be
presently made of the work, by judicious and
impartial persons, as his Majesty might receive
no loss, the strength of the kingdom no prejudice,
his honour no impeachment, and the Officers of
the Navy no just calumniation nor blame.
It pleased his Lordship, then lying at White-
hall, presently after the receipt of my letter
(wherewith he was not a little troubled to observe
their malicious pract^'ces) to send for me to wait
upon him, that by conference with me his Lord-
ship might be better informed of each particular
passage in this so dangerous information and
conspiracy; and after his Lordship had received
from me such satisfaction as he desired, comfort-
ing me with many noble encouragements, as
being (as he said) sufficiently persuaded both of
my skill, experience and honesty, wishing me to
take a good heart and never a whit to distrust
the goodness of my cause, albeit I had strong
adversaries, for that God in his mercy would never
42 THE BUILDING OF 1609
permit such a malicious practice to prevail against
those that relied upon him, with many other
fatherly instructions ; and so, being somewhat
late, for that night his Lordsliip was pleased to
dismiss me, giving me commandment to attend
his further pleasure the next morning ; and this
was the 20th day of April.
It was no sooner day the next morrow but his
Lordship, very careful of doing something in this
weighty business, made himself ready, and by 4
of dock, taking my letter in his hand, speeds
himself to liis Majesty's chamber, lying then also
at Whitehall, and sending in word that his Lord-
ship was there to acquaint his Majesty with some
business of great consequence, was presently
admitted to his Majesty's bedside, and, having
in few words given his Majesty a taste of his
errand, delivered him my letter and besought him
to be pleased thoroughly to peruse the same.
The letter his Majesty twice read over, and per-
ceiving how malice was the original of all this
stir, seemed greatly to pity the wrong and injury
done unto me, using this gracious speech in my
behalf, that whatsoever my act was he knew not,
but I deserved great commendation for my honest
plainness delivered in my letter, and that it was
great reason I should be justly proceeded withal.
To the end therefore I might not be wrongfully
oppressed, and the works disgraced without just
cause, his Majesty took present order with the
Lord High Admiral that he should join unto him
the right honourable lords, the Earls of Worcester,
then Master of his Majesty's horse, and of Suffolk,
then Lord High Chamberlain, and repairing to
Woolwich, should there, upon their oaths, honours,
and faithful allegiance to his Majesty, without
respect of any particular person, call before them
i6oo THE PRINCE ROYAL 43
my accusers, and, as well by examination of them
as trial of the work itself, both in point of suffi-
ciency, as well of matter as manner, should truly
inform themselves whether this main accusation
so much concerning his Majesty's honour were
justly commenced or no ; which charge of his
Majesty being performed, they should return the
true report thereof with all speed to his Majesty,
as they would answer it upon their allegiance.
Whilst these things were thus ordering, my
malicious adversaries were not idle, but plotting as
fast against me, and had so far prevailed with the
Lord Northampton that there should be a private
warrant directed to the chief of them, vide ;
to Mr. Baker, Bright and Stevens, and to some
other whom they should associate with them,
which warrant should have been signed with the
King's own hand, to authorise them to repair to
Woolwich, and there strictly to make a survey
of the work ; which being done, upon the return
of the insufficiency of the same under their hands
and confirmation by oath, it was resolved amongst
them I should be turned out and for ever dis-
graced, the work utterly defaced, and I never to
come to any personal answer ; and one of them
that could make his party strongest should under-
take the business, about which they were in great
contention amongst themselves who should be
preferred to it.
But it pleased my good God, that never leaves
his servants destitute of his help when all other
means fail them, so mightily to work for me by
means of my letter sent to my honourable Lord
Admiral, and, as is shewed afore, delivered to his
Majesty, so far to prevent their purposes, that
upon that very day wherein they had determined
to have displaced and disgraced me, that they were,
44 THE BUILDING OF 1609
unawares to them, warned by one of his Majesty's
messengers to appear before the three Lords before
named, to answer them at that very place and
time wherein they made their account to have
triumphed over me. This was the Lord's doing
and it is marvellous in our eyes, and this day was
appointed to be on Tuesday the 25th day of April,
which time was accordingly kept, and the Lords
were come to Woolwich by nine of the clock the
same morning. The first thing they did was to
take a dihgent survey of the work, first touching
the form and manner of the same, and then con-
cerning the goodness of the materials ; which having
very carefully perused, they repaired into the house
and sat at a little table in the middle of my dining
room. Their Lordships being set, first Mr. Baker
was called and demanded, for the good of his
Majesty's service, to deliver plainly what he could
justly except against the ship, either in point of
art or in sufficiency of the materials, and leading
him from point to point concerning her propor-
tion of length, breadth, depth, draught of water,
height of tuck,^ rake afore and abaft, breadth of the
floor, scantling of timber, and other circumstances,
after a deal of frivolous arguings to no purpose,
their Lordships found by his examination nothing
worthy of observing ; and directly finding him to
be led more out of an envious malicious humour
against me than upon any certain ground of error
* The Tuck is ' that part of the ship where the ends of
the bottom planks are collected together immediately under
the stem ... a square tuck ' (as in this case) * is terminated
above by the wing transom and below and on each side by
the fashion-pieces ' (Falconer, Marine Dictionary). According
to Sutherland {Shipbuilder' s Assistant) , the 'height of the tuck '
was taken from the point where the heels of the fashion-pieces
were ' let in upon the posts,' i.e. upon the stem post and
false stem post.
i6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 45
in the mould, or probability of insufficiency of any
the materials used in the frame; whereupon he
was dismissed.
After him was Bright called, and then Stevens,
who were so tripped in their several examinations
as their Lordships found them in their answers
clean contrary one to another almost in every
question, by which their Lordships concluded, as
they did of Mr. Baker, that all this question and
infamous report of the business was plotted by
them out of some malicious respects to disgrace
me and my works, and not of any care or con-
scionable regard of the good of his Majesty's
service ; and so they were dismissed.
Then was great killcow ^ Waymouth called,
who being examined as the others before him were,
was able to say nothing to any purpose, but held
their Lordships with a long tedious discourse of
proportions, measures, lines, and an infinite rabble
of idle and unprofitable speeches clean from the
matter, wherewith their Lordships were so tired
as he was commanded silence. Then every man
being dismissed the room, they consulted in
private about some half hour, and then we were
all called in again ; where their Lordships, address-
ing their speech to me, delivered that, by all this
enquiry, they in their judgments could find no
just cause of exception against the business, and
this accusation grew for aught they could perceive
out of envy and malice, and therefore I had no
cause to be discouraged in my service but to go on
both comfortably and cheerfully, assuring me they
would so effectually return the account of the
particulars of this their day's work to his Majesty
as should not only give his Majesty satisfaction,
but also secure and defend me from all the op-
^ Bully, swashbuckler.
46 THE BUILDING OF 1609
position any of my adversaries could practise
against me, wdth many other noble speeches of
encouragement. And so about 4 of the clock in
the evening, taking their caroches/ they returned
to the Court to Whitehall.
The same night, after their coming to the
Court, their Lordships repairing to his Majesty,
they there delivered the account of their journey,
together with all the particular passages in the
same ; there offering to prove upon their honours,
allegiances, and their lives, the ground of that
conspiracy to spring from no other reason than
inveterate malice to me, and that they found the
business in every part and point so excellent, as
befitted the service of so royal a king ; with which
his Majesty rested marvellous w^ell satisfied.
My adversaries, whose malicious practices no-
thing could daunt, hunting after nothing so much
as my ruin and utter disgrace, were so fired
wdth this prevention that, redoubling their fury,
[they] went all together the next morning to their
great patron and abettor, the Lord Northamp-
ton, who being vehemently incensed before, to
have such an affront to the proceeding of his
commission, as he termed our courses to have
wrought, was willing to entertain anything that
carried but hkelihood to give him means to be
revenged on me for it. After therefore these cater-
pillars had discovered to his Lordship all the
circumstances of the hearing before the Lords,
complaining very grievously as they termed it,
of their partiality towards me and bitterness to
them, and that they were not suffered to speak,
nor could be heard in any[thing] they could inform
against me, they offering upon their hves to make
good all their informations against me to be true,
» A coach or chariot of a stately or luxurious kind. — N.E.D.
i6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 47
so that they might but gain an equal hearing, his
Lordship promised to move his Majesty in the
granting of a second hearing ; wherein he doubted
not, as he said unto them, but they should have
amends made to them for the former injuries and
obtain their purpose against me in despite of all
my friends and upholders.
His Lordship immediately upon this repaired
to his Majesty, and there made a grievous com-
plaint against the partiahty of the three Lords,
which they shewed in the examination of the
business ; there in the behalf of the plaintiffs —
tendering to his Majesty that they did offer upon
their lives to prove aU their informations true,
and besought his Majesty very earnestly there
might be a second examination committed to his
Lordships care, whereby all partiality should be
prevented and his Majesty receive better confirma-
tions of their good service than what the Lords
had before, upon their superficial survey and
partial examination, exhibited to his Majesty.
His Majesty made answer that upon his Lord-
ship's first complaint he had made especial choice
of three principal peers of the realm, of whose
faithful fidehty he was so confidently assured that
he could not but give credit to that account their
Lordships had returned upon the serious examina-
tion of that so weighty a business. Notwith-
standing, seeing his Lordship urged so earnestly
a review and second examination, since it was a
business of such main consequence, for his better
satisfaction and clearing all doubts and scruple,
his Majesty resolved to take the pains in his own
person to have the hearing of the cause indiffer-
ently between all parties ; appointing Monday the
8th of May following to be the time for the same
hearing at Woolwich in the yard where the ship
48 THE BUILDING OF 1609
was then in building ; giving ordei to the Lord
High Admiral of England to provide for the same,
and to command all such persons as were any ways
interested in that business to give their personal
attendance upon his Majesty at the same time
and place.
This resolution of his Majesty made known,
there was preparation on both sides, to be pro-
vided both of information and defence, to give his
Majesty satisfaction ; but the contrary parties
doubting their malicious practices would now
be plainly discovered, never dreaming of such a
course, they still laboured to bring disgraces
upon me ; informing, in this interim of ten days,
if I might be suffered to continue the workmen
upon the frames, I would so handle the matter
that all things should be reformed that had by
them been formerly found defective, both in
point of materials and proportions ; and therefore
were earnest suitors to have all the workmen
presently discharged, and the work to stand.
His Majesty, upon the advice of some of the Lords,
whereof the then Lord Treasurer, Sir Robert
Cecil and Earl of Salisbury ^ being chief, would not
consent on any condition to have the workmen
absolutely discharged, but that order should be
taken the work should cease, and the men con-
tinued at his Majesty's charge till the hearing should
be past, and his Majesty determine what was after
to be done. W^hereupon his Majesty commanded
a letter to be written to me to the same effect,
charging me upon my allegiance to follow the
directions therein contained, which I accordingly
very carefully observed. In the mean time no
day almost passed wherein Mr. Baker, Bright,
» Sir Robert Cecil had been created Earl of Salisbury in
1605.
i6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 49
Stevens, Clay, Graves, Captain Waymouth, with
their mahcious associates, did not meet at Wool-
wich to take all the dimensions of the ship, to
deface the work by striking aside the shores, and
condemning the materials, aggravating continual
disgraces upon me, and raihng despitefully to
my face ; which I was forced to endure with
patience and put up with silence, flying to God,
on whose mercy I wholly depended in these ex-
tremities.
The good Lord Admiral was not idle in this
interim to provide for to give his Majesty full
satisfaction in all things could be objected by
the informers, and to that purpose carefully advis-
ing with Sir Robert Mansell and Sir John Trevor,
principal Officers of his Majesty's Navy, together
with myself, whom it did most concern, what
course was to be held to meet all objections could
be any ways produced against me ; and for that
the adverse part had made choice of a certain
number of masters and builders in the river of
Thames to strengthen their proceedings, it was
held fit and resolved the like course should be
taken by us for our better defence ; whereupon
sundry experienced men known to be honest and
impartial of both kinds were nominated and
appointed by warrant from the Lord Admiral to
attend this service, some inhabiting about the river
of Thames and others of remote places, with whom
divers consultations were held, as well to inform
them of the truth of every particular as also to
satisfy their doubts in anything wherein it was
fit they should be throughly resolved. I, for my
own part, confident of mine own integrity, com-
mending my cause to God, provided myself to be
able to answer all objections whatsoever could
be alleged against me, either in point of art, experi-
50 THE BUILDING OF 1609
ence, or care, in this so weighty service of trust
and consequence.
I must not here forget the princely favour of
my royal, then master, Prince Henry, of ever
famous memory, who in his noble care of me in
the interim of the time appointed by his Majesty
for my hearing did almost every day send me a
comfortable encouragement by some one of his
principal gentlemen to heart me on and put life
into me, lest I should any ways be disheartened
with the apprehension of the power of my great
and potent adversary ; and when the time grew
near for my trial sent me a commandment to
wait upon his Grace, the Sunday preceding the
day, at St. James, which I accordingly performed ;
where his Highness vouchsafing to lead me in his
hand through the park to Whitehall, in the public
view and hearing of many people there attending
to see him pass to the King, his father, did in such
loving manner counsel me with such comfortable,
wise, and grave advice touching my carriage and
resolution in my trial, as was no little testimony
of his principal care of me, to my great comfort,
and joy of all those that were both eye and ear
witnesses of it ; besides casting ^ the worst that
might be, if I had been overthrown by the censure
of his Majesty, his Highness had graciously deter-
mined to have received me into a place in his
house, and resolved to have provided for me whilst
I had lived.
The time drawing now near, there was sent
from London at the appointment of the Lord
Admiral, hangings to furnish the room where his
Majesty was to sit, and the next room to it where
he was to withdraw, the one being the common
> Considering.
1609 THE PRINCE ROYAL 5I
dining room of the workmen, and the other my
own dining room, both which I caused to be
hanged and trimmed up with such furniture as
was befitting such a presence, with all conveni-
ence the place could any ways afiord.
On Monday morning, being the eighth day of
May, the Lord Admiral came betimes to Woolwich,
attended by Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John Trevor,
and others, where his Lordship was met by all
those persons which were formerly ^ warned to be
there on our part, and his Lordship took those
rooms which were fitted for his Majesty. Pre-
sently after came the Lord Northampton attended
with all the spiteful crew of his informers, and he
took Hugh Lydiard's house, being Clerk of the
Check, which was fitted for him, and was there
attended with all his rabble.
Before his Majesty's coming, Waymouth and
his associates pryed up and down the yard, belch-
ing out nothing but disgraces, despiteful speeches,
and base opprobrious terms, being so confident of
their wished ends as they before had given out
that I should be hanged and the work defaced
at the least ; which was likely enough to have
proved so, had not God put a hook into their
nostrils and by the justice of the King caused
themselves to fall into the pit they digged for
another.
The noble Admiral spent the time till his
Majesty's coming very quietly and privately,
consulting advisedly with those appointed for
the business, never so much as taking notice of
the base usage of them on their side.
All things being in a readiness, about eight of
the clock his Majesty came in his caroche attended
* Previously.
52 THE BUILDING OF i6o^
with Prince Henry and the principal Lords of
his Majesty's Council. The Lord Northampton
met him before he came to the ordinary gate of
the yard, and used all the means he could to have
led his Majesty through Lydiard's garden by a
back way into his house ; but his Majesty told his
Lordship that the Lord Admiral, whom he espied
waiting with his train at the ordinary gate of the
yard, would justly take exception at his so doing,
for that it belonged properly there to his Lordship
to receive and entertain him. So alighting, the
Lord Admiral, after his duty performed, guided
his Majesty in the rooms provided purposely for
the business, whom I ushered as belonged to my
place.
After his Majesty had a little reposed, he
desired the Lord Admiral to bring him to the
sight of the work then in hand, which accordingly
was done, directing his Majesty to a brow^ or
stage made at the stem of the ship, where he might
perfectly take a perfect view of the whole ground
work of the frame, being then about half set up
and planked as high as the rungheads,^ no foot-
waling^ as then begun. After his Majesty had
satisfied himself sufficiently, he returned back
to the place again, and there seated himself in
the chair under the state,* at a little table standing
right before him ; the Prince and Lords taking
their stands on his Majesty's right hand, with the
Lord Admiral and all those warned on our part ;
and the Lord Northampton on the left hand of his
» MS. ' brew.'
• MS. * Wrong heads.' The upper ends of the floor timbers.
■ The inside planking from the kelson to the orlop
clamps.
* Canopy.
i6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 53
Majesty, with all his crew of informers and others
appointed to assist him on his part, of sea masters
and shipwrights of the Thames.
These things thus ordered, his Majesty, silence
bepng] commanded by his gentlemen ushers,
his Majesty began a very worthy speech ; first to
signify the cause of his coming to that place and
how much it imported the royal care of a king
to take to his personal examination a business
of such consequence, as so much concerned the
strength and honour of his Kingdom and State,
besides the expense of his Treasure. Next he
addressed his speech to the actors on both sides,
to those that were informers and to those that were
defendants ; the substance of his royal speech
tending to aVeHgious exhortation that none of
both sides should either accuse for malice or other
pretence, or excuse for love, favour, or other par-
ticular respects, for that his Majesty, in the seat
of justice presenting God's person, would not be
deluded, nor led by any coloured pretences from
understanding the very plain truth of that busi-
ness which was to be handled ; and therefore willed
such on both sides whose conscience accused them
either of malicious proceedings, private ends, or
partial favour, to give over and depart before they
took the oath to be administered unto them ;
threatening severe punishments to those should be
foimd offenders herein ; declaring what danger it
was to be perjured before the Majesty of God and
the King.
His Majesty's speech so effectually delivered
to the purpose of the matter in hand to the
admiration of the hearers, commandment was
given to call the names of those to be sworn on
both sides.
.^VVE^^
0\-iV
^v<\0
54 THE BUILDING OF 1609
On Lord Northampton's side were :
Seamen.
Sir Henry Middleton.^ Robert Rickman.*
Mr. Hugh Meritt.2 Thomas Redwood.*
Captain Watts.^ , Captain Geare.^°
Captain Norreys.* Captain Moore."
Mr. Chester.^ Mr. James Woodcott.^^
Captain Waymouth.® Mr. Mathew Woodcott.^^
Captain Newport.' Captain Miller.
1 Of the East India Company, merchant and sea-captain.
" One of the six Masters Attendant of the Navy.
» Probably John Watts, who was captain of Denbigh's
flagship in the Cadiz Expedition of 1625 and was knighted i
together with Michael Geere and others, at Plymouth on the
return. He was captain of Buckingham's flagship in the
lie de Rhe expedition of 1627.
• Captain Thomas Norris (or Norreys) referred to at p. 119
as being one of the Commissioners of 1618 and at p. 120 as
one of Pett's ' greatest enemies.' From p. 33 it would appear
that at one time he had been a purser.
• Perhaps the Captain James Chester referred to in Naval
Tracts of Sir William Monson, I. xxxiv. and III. 60.
« See Introduction.
' Captain Christopher Newport, recommended by Mansell
and Trevor in 1606 for the reversion of one of the principal
masters' places, In 1612 he was captain of the East India-
man Expedition. He was removed from among the six
masters by the Commission of 1618, on account of his employ-
ment by the East India Company.
• Of Limehouse ; master of a merchantman, and a ship-
builder.
• Probably the ' Thomas Redwood, mariner, precinct
of the Tower of London,' whose will was proved in 1613
(Wills, P.C.C.)
" Possibly the William Geere granted 'the office of an
Assistant of the Admiralty ' in 1604 ; or Michael Geere
granted ' the place of Assistant to the King's chief officers
of the Admiralty ' in March 1608, subsequently knighted
and a Master of Trinity House.
i6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 55
Shipwrights.
Mr. Mathew Baker.^* Mr. Clay.is
Mr. William Bright.^* Mr. Graves."
Mr. Edward Stevens.^* Mr. Tranckmore.^'
Captain Waymouth. Mr. Lydiard.^^
Other Informers,
Thomas Buck.^^ Clifton, a baker.^o
^1 In 1618 ' Captains Geer and Moore ' were engaged ' in
receiving and inventorying the Destiny and her furniture,
the goods of Sir Walter Raleigh.' — Cal. S, P. Dom., Novem-
ber 2. 1618.
" A servant of the East India Company.
" Of Limehouse, mariner.
" See Introduction.
"MS. * Cleye.' Referred to at p. 33 as ' Nicholas Clay
of Redriff, shipwright and yardkeeper/ Nominated in the
Charter of 1605 as one of the ' Assistants * of the Shipwrights*
Company. The name is there spelt * Cley/ but he signed as
' Nycholas Clay.'
" Referred to at p. 33 as ' Thomas Graves of Limehouse,
shipwright and yardkeeper ' ; the indictment is, however,
signed by ' John Greaves ' (see Introduction), and it may
be noted that 'John Graves' was nominated an 'Assistant '
by the Charter of 1612. Probably Pett has made a mistake
in the forename.
" Probably Robert Tranckmore, who with Jonas Day
was employed in 1627 in making a dry dock, etc., at Ports-
mouth. These two with Pett were also ordered to report on
the faults in the ships built by Burrell.
" Clerk of the Check at Woolwich.
" Brother of Sir Peter Buck, Clerk of the King's Ships.
It appears from p. 33 that he was an under clerk to Sir Peter.
In October 1607 Thomas Buck and William HoUiday were
granted * protection ' for a year, and this was renewed in
September 1609. On 31st July 1609 Thomas Buck and John
Clifton were granted the moiety of all forfeitures, etc., incurred
by officers of the navy for frauds against the Crown.
«<» John Clifton (see preceding note) ; he had been purser
in the Answer in the Spanish voyage of 1605.
56 THE BUILDING OF 1609
Sworn on our part : —
Seamen,
Mr. William Jones.^ Mr. Thomas Fuller.'
Mr. William Bygatt.2 Mr. Robert Wright.^
Mr. Michael Meriall.^ Mr. Thomas Johnson.*
Mr. John King.* ' Mr. John Dawes.
Mr. George Ireland. Mr. Nicholas Diggens.^^
Mr. Arthur Pett.^ Mr. Jorden."
Mr. John Woodcott.® Mr. Michael Edmondes.
* In October 1604 he was granted with others a reward of
5s. a ton for building five new ships. He was a friend of
William Adams, the navigator, who refers to him in his letter
from Japan of October 23, 1611, to the East India Com-
pany. It would appear that he and Diggens (and possibly
Woodcott) would more properly have been included under
'shipwrights.'
« Probably the William Bigatt who was master of the
Lion under William Borough in 1587. See *The Mutiny of
the Golden Lion ' in Oppenheim, Administration of the Royal
Navy, p. 382 et seq.
» Of Stepney.
* Became in 1610 one of the six principal masters. New-
port's reversion (see note 7, p. 54) was granted ' after the
placing of John King.'
» Possibly Arthur Pett, the navigator of 1580. He was one
of the members incorporated by the second charter of the
Virginia Company in 1609.
• Possibly referred to in Court Minutes of the East India
Company (Cal. S.P. East Indies, 407) of April 1608 : * Gratifi-
cations to Diggins, Burrell, Kitchen and Woodcott.'
' This may be the * old Thomas Fuller ' who died in the
East India Company's ship Thomas in 161 2.
» MS. * Write.' In 1604 the Lord Mayor was directed to
appoint Richard and Robert Wright joint packers of woollen
cloths, &c., and porters of strangers' goods in and out of the
port of London. It is not, however, clear that this is the same
man.
• Of Ratcliff. Mentioned in the grant to the North-West
Passage Company. Cal. S.P. Colonial, July 26, 161 2.
i6o9
THE PRINCE ROYAL
57
Shipwrights.
Mr. William Burrell."
Mr. Nicolas Simonson.^*
Mr. Thomas Jenkins.^*
Mr. Thomas Cole.^^
Mr. Thomas Prime.^^
Carpenters of his Majesty's Navy,
Lawrence Andrews. ^^
David Duck.i'
Robert Bromadge.
Thomas CateroU.
John Elye.
Thomas Hampton,
Nicholas Surtis.^®
Robert Sharpe.^
18
These several persons being called and appear-
ing, the form of the oath was read unto them by
the Right Honourable Sir Robert Cecil, Earl of
" Granted in August 1604 the usual allowance for build-
ing five new ships. William Adams, who died in Japan in
1620, had been for twelve years apprenticed to Diggens, and
refers to him affectionately in his letters to the East India
Company. (See Letters received by the East India Company,
vol. i.)
^1 Probably the ' Edward Jordan, mariner,' mentioned in
the Pipe Office Dec. Acct. for 1613 (No. 2251).
" Principal master workman of the East India Company ;
see Introduction.
" Brother-in-law of Phineas. A shipbuilder at Ratcliff ;
nominated as a warden in the shipwrights' charter of 1605.
^* Nominated as an ' Assistant ' in the shipwrights' charter
of 1612.
" Thomas Cole of Woodbridge and Thomas Pryme of Yar-
mouth were nominated ' Assistants ' in the shipwrights' charter
of 1605.
" MS. ' Androes.'
^' Shipbuilder at Gillingham, see p. 24. He was also a
shipwright in Chatham Yard.
" Referred to at p. 93 as * friends in the navy.'
58 THE BUILDING OF 1609
Salisbury, and then Lord Treasurer, who person-
ated the Clerk of the Session, and the book was
presented to them by the Right Honourable
Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, Lord High
Admiral of England.
These ceremonies performed, his Majesty
willed the Lord Northampton to begin his accusa-
tion, and then I was called personally to answer
and kneeled right before his Majesty, near the side
of the table ; the Lord High Admiral standing at
my left hand. Sir Robert Mansell and Sir John
Trevor standing both right behind me. The ac-
cusation against me was exhibited by the Lord
Northampton in writing,^containing sundry articles
in point of my sufficiency, art, and experience, and
in point of my care and honesty in discharge of
my duty in putting in unserviceable materials
to the great detriment of his Majesty's Service.
His Majesty perceiving the articles to be many
and very intricate to answer each particular, very
judiciously contracted all the business to three
principal heads : the point of art, the point of
sufficiency of materials, and the point of charge ;
and to these heads I was commanded to frame
my answers, and they their accusations. I must
confess that at the first I was so daunted with
the majesty of the King, the power of my
adversary, and the confused urging of the
objections, that I was confounded in myself till
it pleased God, by the helps of the Lord Treasurer
and his discreet directions,^ I was recollected
and recovered my spirits, and so orderly answered
to each objection ; his Majesty still holding us on
both sides to the proposition.
Much time was spent in dispute of proportions,
> See Introduction.
« MS. ' directed.'
1609 THE PRINCE ROYAL 59
comparing my present frame with former pre-
cedents and dimensions of the best ships, for
length, breadth, depth, floor, and other circum-
stances ; in all which they could not fasten any-
thing upon me but reflected to their disgrace and
apparent breach of oath, and plain demonstration
and expression of combined practice.
One point of proportion was mainly insisted
upon and with much violence and eagerness urged
on both sides, which was the square of the ship's
flat in the midships,^ they aflirming constantly
upon their oath it was full thirteen foot, we as
constantly insisting that it was but eleven foot
and eight inches ; but because this difference was
long and could not be tried upon the small plates
his Majesty referred the trial to be made upon
the great platform, which was purposely framed
of planks, to the full scale of the ship, where all
the lines of the midship bend ^ were drawn, and
the square of the flat truly described, with their
centres, perpendiculars, and sweeps ; which trial,
because it much concerned the truth or falsity of
all the rest, his Majesty would not give trust to
any of those that were by oath interested in the
same, but made choice of the noble and worthy
knight. Sir Thomas Chaloner, then Governor of
the Prince's Highness' household, and of the
learned reverend gentleman Mr. Briggs,^ reader
of geometry lecture in Gresham College in London,
and Master of Art and student in St. John's in
Cambridge, who were to decide this controversy.
This thus concluded, we came to the point
of charge ; to which was answered that the charge
^ See Introduction.
* The transverse section of the ship at the greatest breadth.
* Henry Briggs (i 561-1630), mathematician. First Pro-
fessor of Geometry at Gresham College,
6o THE BUILDING OF 1609
of the building of this ship should not exceed
other ships that had been built in her Majesty's
times, I mean Queen Elizabeth of famous and
happy memory, allowing proportion for proportion,
the garnishing not exceeding theirs. This gave
full satisfaction to this point of charge, being the
second head propounded. It then being almost
one of the clock, his Majesty called for his dinner,
referring the other points to be handled in the
ship, after dinner. All this time I sat upon my
knees, baited by the great Lord and his bandogs ;
sometimes by Baker, sometimes by Bright,
Stevens, Clay, gaping Waymouth, and some-
times confusedly by all ; and, which was worst,
his Majesty's angry countenance still bent upon
me, so that I was almost disheartened and out of
breath, albeit the Prince's Highness, standing near
me, from time to time encouraged me as far as
he might without offence to his father, labouring
to have me eased by standing up, but his Majesty
would not permit it.
So soon as his Majesty and the Lords had
dined, the King rose and went into the body of
the frame of the ship, to make trial of the goodness
of the materials. All the lower futtocks^ were
placed, and many upper futtocks also. The ad-
verse part had chalked with a mark almost half
the lower futtocks for red ^ wood, cross-grained,
and merely ^ unserviceable, all which timbers his
Majesty caused to be dubbed * by the workmen
• The futtocks or foothooks are the timbers between the
floor timbers and the top timbers. The floor timbers, lower
and upper futtocks, and top timbers, when put together, form
a complete frame-bend.
• Redness being a sign that the wood was past its prime
and beginning to decay.
» Entirely.
• To be dressed or smoothed with an adze.
i6o0 THE PRINCE ROYAL 6i
ready with their tools for that purpose, and being
tried they were all approved very sound and
serviceable ; and touching the cross-grained timber
his Majesty protested very earnestly the cross
grain was in the men and not in the timber.
His Majesty spent much time in the survey of
these things, still giving way to what objections
the adverse part could allege, and what answer
I could make in my defence.
This business performed within board and
his Majesty well satisfied in every particular, he
openly delivered that the ship would be too
strong if one third of the timber ^ were left out ;
and then began to give me a princely countenance
and encouragement, protesting oftentimes that
all this grievous accusation proceeded of nothing
but malice. Then his Majesty came without
board and curiously ^ surveyed the planks, tre-
nails, and workmanship, all which gave him such
good satisfaction as still confirmed his opinion of
their malicious proceedings.
All the while his Majesty was intentive upon
this search, the gentlemen forenamed, that were
appointed for the trial of the point of the true
flat of the floor, they were busied in taking off the
measures from the ship and bringing them to the
platform ; and when they found by due trial all
the lines to be truly set off, they acquainted his
Majesty that all things was in readiness. His
Majesty then, having received satisfaction of all
things about the frame, repaired to the platform,
attended with the Prince, the Lords, and many
thousand spectators besides. His Majesty then
caused those gentlemen to measure each dimen-
sion of breadth and depth for his own satisfaction,
* The timbers, popularly called ' ribs,' forming the frame.
■Carefully.
62 THE BUILDING OF 1609
and then coming to the point of the square of
the floor, whether it were answering their assertion
of 13 foot, or agreeable to ours of eleven foot eight
inches, the square of 13 foot was tried from the
true centre and perpendicular, which being applied
to the sweeps of the mould did differ above 16
inches at the runghead, the like trial made by
our true centre and perpendicular fell as just
in our lines as could be possibly ; which done,
his Majesty with a loud voice commanded the
measurers to declare publicly the very truth, which
when they had delivered clearly on our sides, all
the whole multitude heaved up their hats, and
gave a great and a loud shout and acclamation,
and then the Prince's Highness called with a high
voice in these words : * Where be now these per-
jured fellows that dare thus abuse his Majesty
with these false informations, do they not worthily
deserve hanging ? '
By that time all these things were thus per-
formed and his Majesty wonderfully satisfied, and
it growing somewhat late, his Majesty returned
again into the hall where he formerly sat ; and
being placed, and the room filled as full as it
could be packed, his Majesty began a most worthy
and learned speech for conclusion of the business,
the scope of his words tending first to a full declara-
tion of the satisfaction he had received touching
this great business, wherein he expressed with
many effectual speeches what content he received
in bestowing his pains that day to so good a
purpose ; next his Majesty addressed himself to
give thanks to the Lord Northampton for his
great care and diligence to search out such errors
in the Office of the Admiralty, wherein his Majesty
and the State were abused, with encouragement
for him to go forward with prosecuting his com-
\
1609 THE PRINCE ROYAL 63
mission, notwithstanding his Lordship had been
misinformed by being drawn to question this
present business ; next, his Majesty directed his
speech to Mr. Baker, Bright, Stevens and the
rest of the informers, very bitterly reprehending
their mahcious practices, more to bring to effect
their own private ends than out of any conscion-
able care of the good of his Majesty's Service
or benefit of the State, repining at the preferment
I had and the countenance of the Prince, his
son, and therefore combining together to dis-
grace and ruin me, though otherwise they envied
one another and were at controversy who should
be preferred to my business ; with many good
exhortations to v/ill them to beware how they
did abuse the Majesty of God and himself, his
substitute, with malicious informations in which
he could do no less than think them perjured,
as in the prosecuting of this whole business
was too apparent to himself and all the world,
whereby they deserved to be severely punished,
if he should censure them as they worthily
merited.
His Majesty then began to shew me a very
pleasing countenance and turned his speech to
me, willing me not to be discountenanced with
these proceedings against me, since he was now
sufficiently persuaded of my honesty, integrity
and abihties to perform what I had undertaken,
advising me not to refuse counsel of my fellow
servants since it was his service, wherein we ought
to join together for his good and the honour of
the State ; with many other princely expressions
of his good opinion of me and readiness, not only
to give me countenance, but assurance of future
favour towards me ; and lastly he cleared all
imputations and aspersions unjustly cast upon
64 THE BUILDING OF 1609
the Lord High Admiral, with recital of all his
honourable services performed to the honour of
the State and his perpetual fame, commending his
great wisdom and impartial carriage of himself
in this day's trial, wherein he was never observed
to give any impediment to his Majesty's judicial
proceedings but all furtherance possible, as was
both evidently manifest to his Majesty by the
great pains he had endured that day and the
noble patience he had given public testimony of
to all present which were eye witnesses of it ; with
many other gracious speeches to put new life and
power into him to go on as he had begun to the
perpetual eternizing his name and honour : then,
giving general thanks to those that had taken pains
in that day's business, with protestation of his
princely care in all matters of such consequence
for the safety and honour of the State and King-
dom, he concluded his speech.
Then the noble Admiral, as his Majesty was
rising, humbly besought his Majesty to license him
to speak a few words, as well to declare his own
innocency concerning these unjust accusations,
as to clear me in the point both of my sufficiency
and my care and honesty to perform the service
entrusted to me, to which his honourable request
(though it grew now to be late) his Majesty most
willingly condescended.
The sum of his Lordship's speech tended to
admire^ and extol his Majesty's justice, great
wisdom, and princely care of the good of the com-
monwealth, in that he had refused no pains (as this
day's work and honourable assembly could justly
witness) to provide to rectify and set straight, to
the wonder and admiration of them all, a work
of so great a consequence, and of such a kind
» Marvel at, Lat. admirari.
x6o9 THE PRINCE ROYAL 65
of intricacy as his Majesty had never been ac-
customed to before, and yet so clearly to examine
and try in so short a space, as if he had only [been]
bred and accustomed to such elements, with many
other honourable speeches tending to that purpose.
His Lordship then laying his hand upon my head,
standing next unto him upon his right hand, did
there freely offer to pawn all his lands, his honour,
and his life, in my behalf for the performance and
finishing of this royal work ; which being once
perfected, if his Majesty (by the advice of the best
experienced artist and seamen of the Kingdom)
should dislike, he would willingly, with help of
his, take off from his Majesty's hands at his and
their proper charge with [out] any damage or loss
to his Majesty ; and this did his Lordship deliver
with such bold, assured, confident earnestness as
gave much content to his Majesty and satisfac-
tion to the Prince, the Lords, and most part of
the rest of the standers by.
To this speech his Majesty replied briefly with
gracious acknowledgments of his princely accept-
ance of his Lordship's true, faithful service and zeal
expressed in that his worthy speech, of which he
had so great assurance as he confidently protested
never king could be more happy than himself
in the service of such an honourable subject ; and
therefore there was no need why he should any
ways engage neither himself nor his honour in that
which his Majesty had, by the course of upright
justice, before the face of God and the world,
so apparently cleared ; this said, his Majesty
rose.
In passing through the hall, the Lord Admiral
going before and leading me in his hand, the Lord
Thomas Howard, then Lord Chamberlain of the
Household, made a motion to his Majesty to lay a
66 THE BUILDING OF 1609
charge upon me that I should not make any
quarrel against any person or persons that had
that day given information against me, alleging
he knew my stomach to be such as, if I were
not contained by his Majesty's commandment, I
would call them to account for their doings, where-
upon blood might ensue.
His Majesty, giving ear to what his Lordship
advised, gave him thanks for his worthy counsel ;
and calling me unto him before the whole company,
I sitting upon my knees, he gave me an especial
charge upon my allegiance and life that I should
not quarrel or challenge any person or persons
whatsoever that had that day given ^ information
against Tme, alleging I had honour sufficient to
have been cleared of all questions and objections
unjustly laid to my charge by the equity of my
cause and his justice.
This speech concluded, his Majesty hastened to
take his caroche which attended at the gate : the
noble Lord Admu*al brought me in his hand to
his Majesty, to kiss his royal hand and take my
leave. His Majesty gave me his hand to kiss
with such an expression of his princely favour
and encouragements to proceed cheerfully in my
business as did not only infuse new life into me,
but also gave great comfort and content to all
the standers by.
Then I presented myself upon my knee to the
most noble Prince my then master, who, taking
me from the ground, did so affectionately express
his joy for my clearing and the satisfaction his
father had received that day, that he protested
he would not only countenance and comfort me
hereafter but care to provide for me and my
posterity while he lived. I received the like
noble courtesy fr^^m nil tlie lords, who declared
t
1609 THE PRINCE ROYAL 67
their joy for the happy success ^ God gave me in
this great deUverance.
The great Lord of Northampton, seeing the
event of this business, and that all things sorted
out clean contrary to his expectation, railing
bitterly against his informing instruments, took
the back way to his coach and would not so much
as take any leave of his Majesty, but posted away
with no little expression of great discontentment,
as did also the rest of his partakers.
The Lord Admiral attended his Majesty, being
never better contented in all his life, and returned
to Whitehall with the company, it being almost
eight of the clock before they went from Woolwich.
Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John Trevor, Captain
Button,^ and the rest of my good friends followed,
amongst whom was the good old Lady Mansell
and Mrs. Button, who had taken the pains to
attend the hearing in an inner 100m all that day.
This day, as it was a very tedious day unto
me by reason I was to answer all objections and
kneel so long together, so was it a day of jubilee
to me, a day never to be forgotten of me nor mine ;
wherein my good God shewed me wonderful favour
and mercy to enable me to endure the frowns of
the King, and to strengthen my weak abilities to
withstand the malice of such and so many power-
ful adversaries by the space of one whole Jong
summer's day, for his Majesty (albeit he was
sufficiently persuaded of their malice and my
integrity) yet till he had cleared all doubts by the
course of strict examination, and found me in his
justice guiltless, he would show me no counten-
ance at all ; but after their malice was (;^scovered,
and all those heads and points fully answered and
clearly resolved, his Majesty then both in counten-
* Result. " Thomas Button. Knighted 1616 ; died 1634.
68 COMMISSION OF INQUIRY 1609
ance, words, and all other princely expressions,
declared his royal disposition towards me.
The next day, being the 9th of May, I began
the work again, every man striving to express
his willingness thereunto by reason of the great
encouragement ' his Majesty had pubHcly and
generally given to them ; and within two or three
days after, the Lord Admiral, Sir Robert Mansell,
and Sir John Trevor, advising together with me,
we resolved to move the Lords of the Council to
have two principal men, which were Master Ship-
wrights, to be by their order appointed to repair
twice at least in the week to Woolwich, to survey
the provisions, and to foresee that no unserviceable
materials should be wrought upon the ship, which
we did to clear all suspicions of any ends of our
own. This accordingly was consented to of the
Lords, and Mr. Mathew Baker and Henry Reynolds
were appointed to be the overseers, who for
fashion's sake some three or four times came to
Woolwich, but finding our care to be more to
perform honestly than theirs could be to prevent
with their best endeavours, they gave over the
trust recommended to them and left me to myself.
The 7th of June following, the Red Lion, which
was newly rebuilt by Mr. Baker at Deptford, was
launched ; where was present the King's Majesty
and the Prince, I attending then near the place
at the great storehouse end, where his Majesty
had his standing ; he was pleased very graciously
to confer with me and to use me with extraordi-
nary expressions of his princely favour.
The 8th day of June, being the Thursday in
Whit sun week, his Majesty began to hear the great
and general cause of the Navy in his Presence
Chamber at * Greenwich, wherein three whole days
» MS. ' and/
f
i6o9 ABUSES IN THE NAVY 69
was spent in several examinations of the truth and
circumstances of the informations dehvered by
the Lord Northampton and his agents, against
Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John Trevor, Captain
Button, Sir Thomas Bludder, Mr. Legatt,^ myself
and many others.
The first day the Lord Northampton made
the very entrance into the business a great com-
plaint of the dishonour he reaped by my hearing
at Woolwich, insisting very maliciously in incens-
ing his Majesty against me and others, who, as he
said, traduced him in every tavern and ale bench,
to his great dishonour; and therefore humbly
besought his Majesty that business might be again
called in question, alleging the confidence of the
informers who were ready to maintain the truth
of their former informations with their lives.
His Majesty, taking it ill that my Lord should
dare to question his just proceedings, which he had
taken such pains personally to hear [and] deter-
mine, took him short off with a sharp reprehen-
sion and willed him no further to insist upon that
whereof his Majesty and the whole world were so
sufficiently satisfied ; but if he had aught else to
say he should proceed with that, and he was there
ready to hear and to do him all right. Then his
Lordship began to deliver sundry particular
bitter accusations against Sir Robert Mansell, Sir
John Trevor, and the rest, all savouring more of
malice than of truth, as was apparent by every
man's answer when they were called to speak for
themselves.
On Saturday, being the loth of June and the
* John Legatt, or Legate, Clerk of the Check at Chatham,
granted in 1604 the reversion of the Clerkship of the Navy
after Peter Buck, sen. {Pat. Roll, 1655). He appears, however,
to have died before Buck, probably in 1615.
70 ABUSES IN THE NAVY 1609
last day of hearing, to conclude all, I was called
the last man to answer a grievous accusation for
my Spanish voyage made in the Resistance, when
I attended the Lord Admiral for the conclusion of
the peace. Captain Norreys being then the principal
informer, it was laid to my charge I had trans-
ported and sold to the Spaniards divers tons of
brass ordnance and other provisions of powder
and shot, but after it came to the trial all proved
nothing but ridiculus mus ; ^ his Majesty being
made privy to all the proceeding in that business
by the Lord Admiral when he was in Spain, so
that I was fully cleared of all those scandalous
and false informations by his Majesty's own mouth,
to the shame and disgrace of those that were
the principal actors and prosecutors of it; and
thus was that great hearing fully concluded at
Greenwich.
It must not be forgotten how the Lord in his
justice "IdidJ revenge my injuries and wrongs even
upon^all those that were sworn against me ; but
because in modesty I will spare to nominate
some, and in what particulars they were after-
wards in special matters beholding to me, yet I
must not pass over one remarkable accident that
happened to one of them in this manner.
Captain George Waymouth before mentioned,
being one of the most violent and bitterest
adversaries that came against me, happened to
have drawn in a knight of Hampshire to be so
credulously confident of his special art in building
of ships, that he trusted him to have the over-
sight and direction of building a small ship for
him, which was expected to have been so rare a
* An allusion to the well-known line of Horace (De Arte
Poelica, 139) : ' Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus '
(Mountains are in labour, a silly little mouse will be bom).
i
i6o9 CAPTAIN WAYMOUTH 71
sailer, and every way so well conditioned, as she
should run beyond the moon ; but in the end,
when she came to be tried, she proved the veriest
bauble and drown devil ^ that ever went to sea ;
and so plainly cozened the knight both of his
charge and expectation.
The provisions of cordage, anchors, sails,
munition, and other furniture were to come from
London, and Captain Waymouth was trusted both
to ship them and to convey them to the vessel ;
and for the better security he resolved to embark
himself with them, and falling down as low as the
North Foreland, there mistaking his course (as
he did in the North-west Passage ^), instead of
* MS. ' veryest bable and drowne divell.' This has the
appearance of a seaman's saying, but I have not met it else-
where. * Bable ' (bauble) is used contemptuously for 'a mere
toy, applied to a machine, etc., considered too small or weak
for actual work ' {N.E.D.), as in the following passages :
' . . . the sea being smooth.
How many shallow bauble boats dare sail
Upon her patient breast . . .
But let the ruffian Boreas once enrage
The gentle Thetis ...
. . . Where's then the saucy boat
Whose weak untimbered sides but even now
Co-rivall'd greatness ? '
Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, I, iii.
* ... his shipping
Poor ignorant baubles — on our terrible seas
Like egg-shells mov'd upon their surges, crack'd
As easily 'gainst our rocks.'
Shakespeare, Cymheline, III, i.
The word * bawble ' is also used by Anson in speaking of
the Try at sloop, which the Spaniards at Juan Fernandez
could not credit with having rounded Cape Horn.
* Devil ' seemingly refers to the ' poor devils ' forming the
crew : it does not appear to refer to the seam in the ship's
bottom to which that name is sometimes given.
' Referring to his voyage in 1602. See Introduction.
72 CAPTAIN WAYMOUTH 1609
going to Shoreham in Sussex, he went for Flushing ;
and so, pretending some lame excuse to colour
his pretence, passed from thence to Antwerp,
where it is most certain he proffered to sell all
his commodities and his service also, had he not
been prevented, albeit he enjoyed a pension ^ of
ten groats per diem here in England from his
Majesty under the title of Master Engineer.
This his juggling was not so privately con-
veyed but notice and advertisement was given
and sent to the Lords of the Council, and by their
Lordships to the Lord High Admiral ; whereupon
strict order was taken that he should be appre-
hended as a pirate if he at any time were found
in England.
Upon knowledge hereof, he secretly stole over
and got to London, and there very privately, by
means of one Mr. Poory,^ a gentleman having
some near dependence upon the right honourable
the Earl of Salisbury, then the Lord Treasurer of
England, his case was made known to his Lord-
ship to be a means to his Majesty for his pardon.
His Lordship, very well remembering what part
he played at my hearing at Woolwich, and what
particular notice his Majesty and the Prince's
Highness took of his dishonest and base carriage,
utterly disclaimed him so much as to hear him
named ; but being very much importuned by Mr.
Poory and one, old Keymer,^ he advised his safest
• Granted October 27, 1607.
• Apparently John Pory, who, from his letter to Dudley
Carleton of January 3, 1610 (S.P. Dom., James I, Hi, i), appears
to have been connected with the Lord Treasurer. This would
be the traveller and geographer of that name, then M.P. for
Bridgwater, but settled in London.
• Probably John Keymer, the author of Observations upon
the Dutch Fishing.
i6o9 CAPTAIN WAYMOUTH 73
course to be to make his way to the Lord Admiral,
in whose power he was now fallen by piracy, and
that he had no better or readier way to effect
this but to repair to me and to confess his former
injuries and truly to deliver by what means and
working he was drawn into that business, and so
to offer me as public satisfaction as he had done
me public injury, that I might be a mean both
to the Prince's Highness and to the Lord Ad-
miral he might, upon this submission, be both par-
doned and received into favour. This counsel was
presently followed, and a great supper bespoken
at the Three Cranes in the Vintry by Mr. Poory and
Mr. Keymer, to which I was trained by a solemn
invitation by them both, by a letter sent to me to
Woolwich that very morning before the supper
intended.
We met according to appointment, and, after
some compliments passed, Poory and Keymer,
drawing me aside into a private room, there dis-
covered unto me the cause of their meeting and
sending for me, which when I throughly under-
stood I refused either to stay or see Waymouth ;
but at length won by their importunities, and the
rather for that they confidently assured me this
was done by the advice of my most honourable
good Lord, the Lord Treasurer, I was contented
to stay supper with them, and Waymouth came
in and sat at the same table without any speech
concerning the business. Supper ended, Mr.
Poory began to break the matter to this effect :
that Captain Waymouth there present, acknow-
ledging his error in doing me so great an injury,
was purposely come in their company to offer me
what satisfaction I would desire, confessing it
now lay in my power either to undo him or to
74 CAPTAIN WAYMOUTH 1609
recover his lost reputation, and to perform what
I should enjoin him, in what public manner I
would require.
To this I answered that, first, I never had any
conversation with Waymouth, nor did ever give
him any cause to be my enemy in so great a height
as to accuse me before a king in the presence of
such an audience, wherein no less than my life
was questioned, aggra[va]ting each circumstance
of his malicious carriage towards me as well as
I could then remember.
To be short. Captain Waymouth, there rising
from the table, in the presence of all that were
there, fell on his knee and desired me as I was a
gentleman to pardon what he had inadvisedly
done against me ; all the circumstances he would
truly discover, if I would give him leave to speak ;
and then, rising from the ground, laid down his
sword at my feet, there vowing in the presence
of God and that company, both himself, his life,
and sword, should be ever at my command and
service.
He tncii ireely delivered by whom he was first
solicited to join in that business against me, which
was Mr. Baker, Bright, and the rest, for the space
of two months together ; to whom he made flat
denial to join in such a malicious practice, and did
never condescend till they procured him to be sent
for by a letter from the Lord Northampton to
come to speak with him, by whose flatteries and
fair promises he was enticed to be a party with
them ; and this he offered to make good upon his
oath whensoever he should be called.
Upon this his submission, I was contented to
forgive the injury done to me in my own particular,
but I could not promise to mediate betwixt him
and the Prince my master, nor the Lord Admiral.
i6io LAUNCH AT DEPTFORD 75
This was accepted upon my promise I would not
aggravate anything against him, and thus spending
almost the whole night I took my leave, and so
took boat and returned that morning to Woolwich ;
and this was about the i8th of November.
This meeting was not so private but that his
Highness and the Lord Admiral had notice of it,
whereupon the Prince sent for me and commanded
me to deliver the truth, which I accordingly did
in each particular. His Highness disliked that I
did not acquaint him with it, but when I assured
him of the manner of my training thither, with
some little check ^ he was satisfied ; and the Lord
Treasurer did so mediate for him to the good Lord
Admiral that his pardon was granted, but himself
from that time after (till his dying day which
shortly followed) was never received to favour,
nor good opinion.
In the beginning of January following, there
were two new ships, builded at Deptford ^ for the
East India Merchants, to be launched ; whereat
his Majesty with the Prince and divers lords
were present, and feasted with a banquet of sweet-
meats on board the great ship in the dock, which
was called the Trade's Increase ^ ; the other was
called the Peppercorn,* the names being given
by his Majesty. I did there attend, and received
gracious public usage from his Majesty, the Prince,
and the Lords ; but the tide was so bad that the
great ship could not be launched out of the dock,
and the smaller, which was built upon the wharf,
was so ill stroken ^ upon the launching ways that
» Reproof. « By William Burrell.
' Of 1 100 tons ; wrecked on her first voyage in 161 3 and
burnt by the Javanese.
* Of 250 tons.
« MS. 'strokes.' The ship is struck (lowered) upon the
76 FEAST AT ST. JAMES'S 1610
she could by no means be put off, which did some-
what discontent his Majesty.^
The last day of January, the Prince's Highness
came to Woolwich, to see in what forwardness the
ship was in, where I gave him and his followers
entertainment.
The 7th day of January, by commandment
from the Prince's Highness, I attended at the great
feast made by him at St. James's to the King,
Queen, Duke of York, Lady Elizabeth, the Lords
of the Council, and all the Knights that were
actors at the barriers. ^ The supper was not ended
till after ten at night, from whence they went to
the Play, and, that ended, returned again to a set
banquet in the gallery where the supper was, the
table being above 120 foot long, and it was 3 of
the clock in the morning before all was finished.
The 9th of February, my wife's brother, John
Nicholls, being a linen draper dwelling in Friday
Street, died of the sickness.
The 25th April the Prince's Highness came to
Woolwich and dined there, with all his train, in
my dining room.
The 27th April, my sister Lydia, whom I was
glad to maintain a long time before, with a poor
launching ways when the blocks and wedges on which the
keel is supported are driven out and the weight of the ship
taken upon the cradle, the bottom of which rests upon, and
slides along, the launching ways.
* According to the account of the captain of the Pepper-
corn (Egerton MS. 2100) this was on 30th December. The
Peppercorn was launched on ist January, * and the great
ship the Trade's Increase ... a little removed, but not
launched. The 2nd day Tuesday the Trade's Increase was half
her length removed but not launched for the dockhead was too
narrow for her passage. The 3rd day . . . she was launched.'
• An account of this tournament is given in Birch, Lije oj
Henry, Prince 0} Wales, p. 182 et seq.
i6io ROYAL VISIT TO WOOLWICH 77
man that was her husband, died at Plumstead,
and was there buried at my charge.
The 30th of this month, the Resistance was
launched out of my brother Simonson's Dock at
Ratchif, where she was newly repaired.
The second of May, the Lady Elizabeth with
her train came to see the great ship at Woolwich,
and was entertained by my wife, I being then
at London.
About the loth of May, this present year, I
bought Sir John Trevor's third part of the Resist-
ance, so that I had two third parts of her to
myself.
The i8th of June the Prince's Highness came
to Woolwich, to see the ship, who was now in
great forwardness and almost ready ; and the next
day after he came thither again in company of the
King his father, and a great train attending on
them, in the afternoon. His Majesty spent almost
two hours in great content in surveying the ship,
both within and without, protesting it did not
repent him to have taken such great pains in
examination of the business of that work, since
the fruit thereof yielded him such contentation.^
His Majesty then did me the honour to come
into the house, where my wife had prepared a
banquet of sweetmeats and such fruits as were
then to be had, whereof he was pleased to taste
plentifully and did very graciously accept of his
homely entertainment, giving me especial com-
mandment not to launch the ship till his pro-
gress was ended.
Between Easter and Michaelmas that the
ship began to be garnished,^ it is not credible
what numbers of people continually resorted to
^ Satisfaction, content.
* Completed with her ornamental work.
78 BIRTH OF PETER x6io
Woolwich of all sorts, both nobles, gentry, citizens,
and from all parts of the country round about ;
which was no small charge to me, in giving daily
entertainment to all comers, which could not be
possibly avoided in that place at such a time.
In the beginning of August I was summoned
to Chatham with my fellow Master Shipwrights,
there to take a survey of the Navy "according
to the yearly custom. Sir John Trevor, then
Surveyor, attended that service personally ; where
we spent four days in performing that business,
and so returned to Woolwich.
The 6th of this month of August, my wife was
delivered of her fifth son, at Woolwich in my own
lodgings, between the hours of 6 and 7 of the clock
in the morning, being Thursday.^ And the i6th
day of the same month he was baptized in the
church at Woolwich, upon a Thursday in the
forenoon.
The witnesses were my brother Peter and
brother William Brooke, godfathers, and my wife's
mother. Mistress Katherine Nicholls, godmother.
The 22nd of this month, I let out the Resist-
ance for a voyage into the Straits at the rate of
100/. per mensem, with 36 men ; Mr. William
Gibbons appointed the master.
The 31st day, I rode to Nonsuch,* to the
Prince, that then was there in hunting, who of
his nobleness promised to send me a buck to
Woolwich, because he had then given all away
that were fallen that day.
The 9th of September, being Simday, about
six of the clock in the evening, divers London maids,
coming to see the ship, brought in their company
* The 6th August 1610 was a Monday.
• Near Cheam. This Palace was commenced by Henry
VIII and pulled down by the Duchess of Cleveland.
x6io THE PRINCE ROYAL 79
a little boy of 12 years old, the only child of his
mother, a widow woman dwelhng in Tower Street,
who, carelessly going up and down upon the main
orlop,^ fell down into the hold of the ship and
was thereby so broken and bruised that he
died before midnight, being the first mischance
that did happen in the w^hole time of the ship's
building.
About the middle of this month, being ready
to have the ship stroken down upon her ways, I
caused 12 of the choice master carpenters of his
Majesty's Navy to be sent for from Chatham to
be assistance in her striking and launching ; and
upon the i8th day, being Tuesday, she was safely
set upon her ways, and this day Sir Robert Mansell
cam^ and dined with me in my lodgings.
The 20th of this month, the French Leaguer ^
Ambassador came to Woolwich, to see the ship,
whom I entertained in the best manner I could ;
and in the time of his being within, the Prince, my
royal master, sent me a wonderful fat buck which
he killed with his own hand.
Now began we on all sides to make preparation
for the launching of the ship, and for that purpose
there was provided a rich standard of taffety,^
very fairly gilt with gold, with his Majesty's arms,
to be placed ^upon the poop, and a very large
ensign of crimson rich taff ety, with a canton of the
Prince's crest, to be placed upon the quarter deck,
* * The Orlopp is no other but the Deck (as we say) the
lower Deck, the second Deck, so you may as well say the lower
Orlopp, or the second Orlopp : and indeed it is commonly held
the proper speech to call them the first Orlopp and the second
Orlopp : for this word Orlopp seems to be appropriated only
to these two Decks/ — ^Manwayring, The Seaman's Dictionary.
2 MS. ' Lyeadger.' The Sieur de la Boderie, then engaged
in settUng the * League ' or Treaty between the two kingdoms.
» A silk stuff.
8o THE LAUNCHING OF 1610
and all other ornaments were carefully provided
for, befitting that purpose. There was a standing
set up in the most convenient place in the Yard for
his Majesty, the Queen, and their royal children, and
places fitted for the ladies and Council, all railed
in and boarded ; all the rooms both in my own lodg-
ings and at Mr. Lydiard's were ^ prepared and very
handsomely hanged and furnished with a cloth of
state, chairs, stools and other necessaries ; nothing
was omitted that could be imagined any ways
necessary, both for ease and entertainment.
Upon Sunday in the afternoon, being the 23rd
day of September, Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John
Trevor, and Sir Henry Palmer came to Woolwich
to see how everything was ordered, and finding
all things prepared and fitted to their likings,
about three of the clock they returned all to Dept-
ford, where they lodged that night at Sir Robert
Manseirs. This evening, very late, there [came]
a messenger to me from them, bringing a letter
which was sent to them from Court, at Theobalds,
to give me order to be very careful to search the
ship's hold for fear some treacherous persons
might have bored some holes, privily, in the ship,
to sink her after she should be launched ; but my
care had prevented their fears aforehand, so far
as possibly could be searched or discerned.
On Monday morning, assisted by the help of
my brother Simonson and sundry other my friends,
we opened the dock gates and made all things ready
against the tide, but the wind blowing very hard
at south-west kept out the flood so as it proved a
very bad tide, little better than a neap, which
put us afterwards to great trouble^and'hazard.
The King's Majesty came from Theobalds,
though he had been very ill at ease with a scouring
« MS. * withe.'
i6io THE PRINCE ROYAL 8i
taken with surfeiting by eating grapes, and landed
here about eleven of the clock. Prince Henry
attended him, and most part of the Lords of the
Council. The Lord Admiral, attended by the
Principal Officers of the Navy together with
myself, received him on land out of his barge and
conducted him to the place provided for him in
Mr. Lydiard's house ; his dinner was dressed in
our great kitchen. After dinner came the Queen's
Majesty, accompanied with the Duke of York,
Lady Ehzabeth, and divers great lords and ladies
in her train. The drums and trumpets [were]
placed on poop and forecastle and the wind instru-
ments by them, so that nothing was wanting to so
great a royalty that could be desired.
When it grew towards high water and all
things ready, and a great close lighter made fast
at the ship's stern, and the Queen's Majesty with
her train placed, the Lord Admiral gave me com-
mandment to heave taut the crabs ^ and screws,^
though I had little hope to launch by reason the
wind over-blew the tide ; yet the ship started and
had launched, but that the dock gates pent her in
so strait that she stuck fast between them, by
reason the ship was nothing lifted with the tide
as we expected she should, and the great lighter
by unadvised counsel being cut off the stern, the
ship settled so hard upon the ground that there
was no possibility of launching that tide, besides
that there was such a multitude of people got into
the ship that one could scarcely stir by another.
The noble Prince himself, accompanied with the
Lord Admiral and other great Lords, were upon
the poop, where the great standing gilt cup was
ready filled with wine to name the ship, so soon as
r » A small capstan, placed on the ground.
* MS. ' scruses.* Placed at the bow to start the ship,
a
82 THE LAUNCHING OF 1610
she had been on float, according to ancient custom
and ceremony performed at such times, by drink-
ing part of the wine, giving the ship her name,
and heaving the standing cup overboard.
The King's Majesty was much grieved to be
frustrate of his expectation, coming on purpose,
though very ill at ease, to have done me honour,
but God saw it not so good for me and therefore
sent this cross upon me both to humble me and
to make me know that howsoever we purposed,
he would dispose all things as he pleased ; so that
about five of the clock his Majesty with the Queen
and all their train departed away to Greenwich,
where then the household were removed. Prince
Henry stayed behind a good while after his Majesty
was gone, conferring with the Lord Admiral,
Principal Officers, and myself what was to be
done ; and, leaving the Lord Admiral to stay here
to see all things performed that was resolved on,
he took horse and rode after the King to Green-
wich, with promise to return back presently after
midnight.
So soon as the multitudes were gone and things
quiet, we went presently in hand to make way with
the sides of the dock gates, and having great store
of scavelmen ^ and other labourers, we made all
things ready before any flood came ; which per-
formed, every man applied himself to get victuals
and to take rest. The Lord Admiral sat up all
» The * scavel ' was a small spade used for digging clay,
etc., as in forming drains. The scavelmen were dockyard
labourers whose duty it was to clean and pump out the docks.
The name, which disappeared after 1844, probably on the
introduction of steam pumping machinery, was no doubt a
survival from the time when the ' dock ' was formed of piling,
wattles, and clay, which was placed round the ship when she
had been brought to the shore, or across the mouth of the creek
into which she had been hauled, and which had to be dug
away in ' opening the dock.'
i6io THE PRINCE ROYAL 83
the night in a chair in his chamber, till the tide
was come about the ship ; and Sir Robert Mansell,
Sir John Trevor, and Sir Henry Palmer made shift
in my lodgings to rest themselves.
The beginning of the night was very fair and
bright moonshine, the moon being a little past
full, but after midnight the weather was sore
overcast, and a very sore gust of rain, thunder
and lightning, which made me doubt that there
was some indirect working amongst our enemies
to dash our launching ; this gust lasted about half
an hour with great extremity, the wind being at
south-west.
In the midst of this great gust, Prince Henry
and all his [train] were taken upon the top of
Blackheath in their coming to Woolwich, but his
invincible spirit, daunted with nothing, made little
account of it but came through, and was no sooner
alighted in the yard but, calling for the Lord
Admiral and myself and Sir Robert Mansell, went
all presently on board the ship, being about two
of the clock, almost one hour before high water ;
and was no sooner entered but, the word being
given to set all taut, the ship went away without
any straining of screws or tackles, till she came
clear afloat into the midst of the channel, to the
great joy and comfort of the Prince's Highness,
the Lord Admiral, and all the rest of my noble
loving friends, which mercy of God to me I pray
I may never forget.
His Highness then, standing upon the poop
with a selected company only, besides the trum-
pets, with a great deal of expression of princely joy,
and with the ceremony ^ of drinking in the great
standing cup, threw all the wine forward towards
the half deck, and solemnly calling her by the
* For an account of this ceremony see Fraser, The Londons
of the British Fleet, p. 68.
84 COMPLETION OF 1610
name of the Prince Royal, the trumpets sounding
all the while, with many gracious words to me,
gave the standing cup into mine own hands, and
would not go from the ship till he saw her fast at
her moorings. In heaving down to the moorings
we found that all the hawsers that were laid on
shore for land-fasts were treacherously cut, to put
the ship to hazard of running on shore, if God had
not blessed us better.
In the interim of warping to the moorhigs, his
Highness went down to the platform of the cook-
room where the ship's beer stood for the ordinary
company, and there finding an old can without a
lid, went and drew it full of beer himself, and drank
it off to the Lord Admiral, and caused him with
the rest of his attendants to do the like.
About nine the same morning, being very
rainy, he took his barge, accompanied with the
Lord Admiral and the rest of his train, and, giving
us a princely gracious farewell, rowed against the
tide to Greenwich, where he made relation of all
the business and the circumstances thereof to the
King his father.
We then came on shore to refresh ourselves
with victuals, and to take some rest, having toiled
all the night before ; and, amongst the rest of the
company. Sir Henry Palmer was pleased to stay
dinner, where we drank Prince Henry's health
round, to hanseP the standing cup given at the
launching.
The 8th day of October I began to kill beef at
Woolwich for the victualling of the Resistance, for
a voyage into the Straits.
The 20th of October were discharged most part
of all the workmen which wrought upon the Prince,
and were paid at Deptford [the] same day.
• To inaugurate the use of. (N.E.D.)
i6io THE PRINCE ROYAL 85
The 22nd day of this month, the Resistance
fell down to the wall,^ and the 27th day she came
down to Woolwich, and there anchored by the
Prince.
This day also I shipped away my household
stuff from Woolwich to Chatham.
The 29th day, being Monday, I removed from
Woolwich to Chatham, with my wife, children, and
my whole family, and the next day I returned
again to Woolwich, and the next day divers Straits
ships fell down to Woolwich, and we caused them
to anchor by the Prince, and to help us with all
their men to set the Prince's masts.
The first of November, being Thursday, was
set the Prince's foremast, and on Saturday, being
the 3rd day, her boltsprit was set also, all the
merchantmen's companies helping us.
The 8th day, being Thursday, the Resistance
and the rest of the Straits ships set sail for Graves-
end, and I went down thither in the Resistance,
and that night went to Chatham, and the next
day returned to Gravesend and cleared away my
ship.
The loth day, being Saturday, betimes in the
morning the Resistance and the rest of the Straits
ships set sail from Gravesend, and went over the
next tide. I went in the Resistance, Captain
John King went in his own ship, the Mathew, and
Mr. Jenkins the shipwright went with Mr. Wills
in the Althea, and Mr. Newport went master in
the Centaur. We all anchored in the Gore,^
and lay ashore at Birchington that night, old
Thomas Puniett in our company. The next day
1 Presumably of Deptford Yard, but he may mean Black-
wall. She had been undocked at Ratcliff.
» The Gore Channel, running between the Kent coast and
Margate Hook Sand, west of Birchington.
86 THE PRINCE ROYAL 1610
Captain King, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Puniett,^ and
myself, came post to Chatham ; they lay at my
house all night, and the next day I came up to
Woolwich with them in my company.
The Prince by this time was wholly rigged and
made ready to go to Chatham, of which having
made Prince Henry's Highness acquainted, he
was pleased to come on board her at Woolwich on
Thursday, being the 6th December, where he
stayed some 3 hours, being wonderful desirous to
[have] had us set sail, if we could possibly have
done it without danger. Sir Robert Mansell
that day attended upon the Prince, and was by
him commanded to go down in her to Chatham
with us. Captain King was master, thereto being
appointed by the Prince, old John a Vale was our
pilot, Mr. John Reynolds the master gunner, and
LawTence Spencer, boatswain. So soon as it was
high water, which was about 3 of the clock, his
Highness went on shore at Woolwich where his
coach attended ; at his landing we gave him
eleven pieces of ordnance, which was all we had
then aboard.
The 7th day of this month, Sir Robert Mansell
sent his bedding and provision on board the Prince,
and necessaries for the journey, and that night
he came on board and lay there all night ; and the
next day, being Saturday, the wind being at
south-west, we made ready to set sail and got our
anchors on board, but it was a great fog all the
morning, and at noon it cleared up, but it was so
little wind that we could scarce bear ahead with
all our sails and boats, yet we with much ado
* Thomas ; one of the pilots for the river and Downs.
The name appears elsewhere as * Poynett,* ' Punnett,' and
* Poinet.' He signed with a mark ' T.'
i6io SAILS TO CHATHAM 87
got as low as Halfway Tree,^ and there, the water
being much fallen, we anchored all that night.
The next day, being Sunday the 9th December,
we set sail about one of the clock, with a fresh
gale at south-west, and that night anchored at
the lower end of Gravesend. Monday, the loth
day, we set sail into Tilbury Hope, and, for that
we wanted a great anchor and cable. Sir Robert
thought it fit for us to stay there till we were
supplied with all wants, for which purpose Sir
Robert went back to London that night, and I
went home to Chatham.
On Friday after, being the 14th day, I returned
on board the ship into Tilbury Hope, and presently
after Sir Robert came on board, and having re-
ceived the supply of our wants, we made ready
to set sail again the next day.
Saturday morning, we set sail from Tilbury
Hope and anchored thwart the Nore, where we
lay all that night ; Sunday, the i6th day, we
weighed and anchored within Sheerness ; and on
Monday we got up as high as St. Mary's Creek ; ^
and the next day, being Tuesday and the i8th
day, we brought the ship safe to her moorings
within the chain at Upnor, for which we gave
God thanks.
So soon as the ship was safe moored. Sir Robert
Mansell rode away post for London, and I went
home to my house. On the Wednesday after I
made a journey to London to wait upon the Prince,
my master, where I stayed till the Saturday after,
being the 22nd day, and then returned home to
Chatham ; and thus ended the year of 1610.
1 On the Essex shore, half-way between London and
Gravesend.
« Now covered by the extension of Chatham Dockyard
northwards.
88 VISIT OF PRINCE HENRY i6ii
Anno 1611. There passed little worth note till
towards the end of April, this present year ; and
the 29th day of this month, being on a Monday,
I was by the Prince's Highness' command sent
for to come to London, to be at Westminster with
Sir Robert Mansell that night at supper. The
message came to me between 2 and 3 [of the] clock
in the afternoon. I presently caused my horses
to be taken up and made ready, and presently
took horse and according to appointment came
thither by seven that night, where I found Sir
Robert Mansell and Sir Oliver Cromwell expecting
my coming.
The next morning Sir Robert Mansell and
myself repaired to St. James's, where I received
from the Prince's own mouth his Highness' intent
to make a private journey to Chatham, and to
go down in his barges round about by Queen-
borough ; giving me strait charge I should
acquaint none w4th it, but make preparation
for his lodging and diet and his small train in
Chatham, Mr. Legatt's house being appointed
the place to receive his own person. So, being
taught my lesson, I returned to Chatham, taking
present order for the preparing of all things for
his entertainment.
There was a small merchantman bound for the
East Country, which was purposely sent down into
Tilbury Hope, to ride there, to refresh his High-
ness on board her and to relieve the watermen ; to
which purpose she was quaintly fitted with all
things, and a great breakfast prepared for that
purpose, Sir WilHam St. John^ having the charge
* A Captain of the Navy, commended by Nottingham to
Ssdisbury in 1609 for having taken Harris, the pirate, on the
Irish coast and done good service off the West Islands of
Scotland {Col. S.P.D., July 3, 1609).
i6ii TO CHATHAM 89
of seeing it performed, being as Captain of the
ship for present.^
The 5th of May, being Sunday, after dinner I
took horse to Gravesend, where met me Captain
King, who had part of that merchant ship and
was commanded to attend, and we lay all night
at Gravesend.
On Monday morning, being the 6th of May, the
Prince's Highness took his barges at Whitehall by
5 of the clock. He was accompanied with the
Earls of Shrewsbury, Arundel, and Earl of Mar,
Sir Thomas Chaloner, Sir Oliver Cromwell, Sir
Robert Mansell, and some others of his household
servants. About 9 of the clock his Highness came
on board, where we were ready to receive him
after the sea manner, with trumpets and drums,
and after he had refreshed himself, the Lords
broke fast, and the watermen relieved with fresh
spells, we went on against the tide till we came
within Queenborough water, and it was ebbed
before we could get as high as Upnor ; and so,
passing along by all the ships, his Highness was
landed at the old dock at Chatham a little be-
fore 6 at night, and thence walked on foot to
Mr. Legates house, where his supper was ready
prepared for him and his train, to his great
content.
The Earl of Arundel was lodged at a boat-
swain's house next Mr. Legatt's, the Earl of
Shrewsbury and Earl of Mar were lodged at my
house, the other train in other convenient places.
Tuesday morning betimes, according to his
Highness' directions overnight, barges and boats
were ready prepared to attend his Highness ; who
had broke fast and was ready by seven of the
clock, and took his barge and went first on board
^ For the time being.
go PRINCE HENRY AT CHATHAM 1611
the Prince, and so from ship to ship of the lower
reach, taking particular private information from
Sir Robert Mansell and myself (none else suffered
to come near) of the state and condition of each
several ship in his own table book. This done,
landed and went to dinner, where he was very
merry and pleasant ; we having placed 15 great
brass chambers in the garden to be fired when his
Highness drunk any healths, and were attended
by Mr. John Reynolds, master gunner of his own
ship, who carefully performed his charge.
Dinner done, his Highness proceeded again
in viewing all the ships and pinnaces in the upper
reach, not leaving out any one which he was not
on board of, taking ^ the same course with them as
was done with the other in the forenoon, by which
time the day was far spent, and his Highness
returned to his lodging, supper being ready against
his coming.
Wednesday, after his Highness had broke fast,
he took his barges and went up to Strood by water,
all the ships of both reaches giving him a royal
farewell with their ordnance, which he com-
manded to be shot, even over his barge, not-
withstanding all the persuasion to the contrary."
He was landed at Strood, where his coaches
attended him, and thence went to Gravesend,
whither I also waited on him, and there his High-
ness was received by the magistrates of the town
with all their small shot and the ordnance of the
blockhouses : at his putting in his barge he was
pleased to grace me with kissing his hand, express-
ing how well he was pleased with his journey
> MS. ' taken.'
* It was customary at that period to fire salutes with
shotted [guns, and accidents from the shot were not
infrequent.
i6ii ARABELLA STUART 91
and entertainment ; thence I returned home to
Chatham.
The 4th of June, being Tuesday, being prepared
to have gone to London the next day, about mid-
night one of the King's messengers was sent down
to me from the Lord Treasurer to man the Hght
horseman^ with 20 musketeers and to run out as
low as the Nore head to search all ships, barks,
and other vessels, for the Lady Arabella ^ that
had then made a scape and was bound over for
France ; which service I performed accordingly,
and searched Queenborough, and all other vessels
I could meet withal, and then went over to Leigh ^
in Essex and searched the town ; and when we
could hear no news of her went to Gravesend, and
thence took post horse to Greenwich, where his
Majesty then lay, and delivered the account of
my journey to the Lord Treasurer by his Majesty's
conunand ; and so was dismissed, and went that
night to Ratcliff, where I lay at Captain King's.
The loth of June, being at London, I had news of
the arrival of the Resistance from the Straits, where-
upon I went presently for Chatham, and the next
morning returned to Gravesend and shipped myself
in a ketch, and was before night set on board the
Resistance in Gore End road, where were other
ships that came thither in company, and amongst
the rest one of the East India ships newly come,
of whom one David Middleton * was captain. I
stayed in the Gore till the 17th day, at which
* A light ship's boat or gig.
* Arabella Stuart. Placed in custody after her marriage
to William Seymour. She escaped dressed as a man, but
was captured in the Straits of Dover and committed to the
Tower.
3 MS. ' Lee.'
* Younger brother of Sir Henry Middleton. This was the
return from his voyage in the Expedition,
92 SURVEY OF THE NAVY 1611
time we were purposed to have weighed and come
over, but there rose such a storm at west, and so
over-blew, that divers ships venturing were cast
away, and they that scaped best lost their masts
and ground tackle, but God blessed us that we did
not lose the ship at all. I then, having earnest
business to be at Chatham, was set on shore at
Margate, from whence I took post horse and came
safely that night to Chatham, giving God thanks
for his merciful deliverance.
About this time Sir John Trevor, having sold
his place of Surveyor of the Navy to one Captain
Richard Bingley,^ was come down to Chatham to
surrender his place unto him at the pay then made ;
and thereupon there was by the new Surveyor's
means a strict survey made of the whole Nav^^
wherein I denied to join before I knew the Prince's
pleasure, but was afterwards persuaded to yield
unto it by Sir John Trevor's importunity ; whereby
I incurred great blame and a sharp check from
the Prince's Highness, which I had much ado to
pacify by the help of the best friends I had about
him, being sent for on purpose to Richmond to
give his Highness satisfaction therein.
About the 8th day of July I paid the company
of the Resistance for their voyage, and presently
graved her for another, and at the same time I
was sent for by the Lord Admiral of England, to
Hampton Court, to give an account about the
proceedings of the survey, made a little before
at Chatham, of the state of the Navy ; and
then I was also sent for to attend the Prince
at Richmond, to give his Highness satisfaction
concerning the proceedings therein, which he
took as an affront, because I had not made his
* The grant of this post to Bingley was dated 7th May.
He was knighted on loth November.
i6ii THE RESISTANCE 93
Grace acquainted with it, being hindered by Sir
Richard Bingley.
The 17th day of this month,^ being Saturday,
having fitted the Resistance in all points for her
voyage into the Straits, she set sail to Blackwall,
and the next morning came to Gravesend, where
I left her and went to Chatham ; 8.nd next day,
being Monday morning, I brought my wife to
Gravesend with me, where we lay that night,
and having cleared the ship from thence, saw
her set sail on Tuesday morning betimes, and
then returned home to Chatham.
In the end of this month I caused the little
Disdain, Prince Henry's pinnace, to be rigged and
fitted for me to take the air of the sea to the
river's mouth.
The 3rd of September, being Tuesday, I set
sail with the Disdain betimes in the morning from
Upnor, having the ship manned with divers of my
friends in the Navy, which voluntary went with
me, as David Duck, Nicholas Surtis, Robert
Sharpe, cousin ^ Peter Pett, and others, whom I
royally victualled, and put out of Queenborough,
and with the next flood, the wind westerly, we
turned up as high as Hole Haven, ^ where we
anchored all night ; next morning I turned up to
Gravesend, where we anchored in expectance of
the company of my friend Captain John King,
who was to come from London to meet me there
upon his faithful promise, but he failing, I with
my company dined on shore at Gravesend, and in
the afternoon set sail into Tilbury Hope where we
anchored all night.
The next morning, being Thursday and the
5th day, we weighed betimes in the morning with
* August : the month is noted in the margin.
» Nephew. ^ \y^^ Qf Canvey Island.
94 THE DISDAIN 1611
a fair gale of wind at west and went down as low
as the buoy of the Oase edge, where we anchored
till the flood, before which time the wind harted ^
in and blew a very fresh gale, and before a quarter
flood it blew so much wind as we could not main-
tain our topsails abroad, and the sea was so high
grown that our little ship would not work, so that
we had much ado to get up as high as thwart of
Minster Church upon the Island of Sheppey,^
where, close under the edge of the Cant, we came
to an anchor in shoal water; by which time it blew
up a very great storm, the wind at west-south-west,
and there we were forced to ride it out till the next
day at half flood, not without some danger ; and
then the wind beginning to duller ^ we weighed
and got up under Sheerness,* where we anchored
all night, and the next day, being Saturday and
the 7th day, we brought our ship safe to Gil-
lingham, giving God thanks for our safety and
deliverance.
About the middle of December, the Honour ^
and Defiance being appointed to be brought into
dry dock at Woolwich, the Honour to be repaired
by Mr. Baker, who first built her, and the Defiance
com^mended to me, we began to prepare the dock
for the receiving of them in after Christmas ; and
so ended this year of 161 1.
The 6th day of January I went from Chatham
to Woolwich to dock the Honour and the Defiance.
» This word is not in the N.E.D. ; it is probably derived from
* heart ' or * hearten/ to acquire more energy. See also note
on p. 106.
« MS. * Shepeway.*
» This word is not in the N.E.D. , but it evidently means 'to
become more dull or calm.' It is used as a transitive verb
by Mainwaring in the Seaman's Dictionary, s.v. ' Blowe * : —
* the heat of the land, which should duller the wind.'
• Sheirenasse. • Merhonour.
i6i2 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE 95
On the gth day we opened the gates and brought
in the Defiance ; the next day proved so much
wind as we could not stir the Honour from her
moorings, so that she was not docked till the night
tide ; the nth day the gates were shut in and
caulked. About the middle of this month, Prince
Henry lying at Greenwich, all the King's Master
Shipwrights were commanded by his Highness
to attend him about a resolution of building ships
in Ireland, and a proposition was made by Mr.
William Burrell to undertake to build one of six
hundred tons in the room of the old Bonaventure,
at a rate,^ to build her in Ireland, myself being
appointed to have gone over thither to see him
to perform his bargain ; and every Master Ship-
wright brought in plats,^ to the end his Highness
might make the better choice for what propor-
tions and kinds of moulds ^ he did best approve of
for fitness of service.
About this time also I did accompany Captain
Thomas Button to make choice of a ship * for the
North-west Passage, in which journey he was to
be employed by the appointment of the Prince.
Towards the end of this month I attended at
Deptford to the docking of the Dreadnought.
About the 6th of March, the Resistance re-
turned home of her voyage, and the 23rd of the
same I paid all her company.
The 14th day of April, being Easter Tuesday,
I came to Gravesend to meet Captain Button,
* For an inclusive sum. * Plans, draughts.
= I.e. the curves of the timbers which were to form the
frame. Each complete * mould ' would give a transverse
section of the ship.
* Button sailed as ' Admiral ' of this expedition in the
Resolution, which was lost in the voyage. He was accom-
panied by the Discovery in which Waymouth and Hudson
had made earlier voyages to the same parts.
96 THE RESISTANCE SOLD 1612
who was then going away upon his voyage, and
we parted together ^ on board his ship, from whence
I returned to Chatham.
About the middle of June, by the command-
ment of Prince Henry, I began to make ready a
frame for a small new ship, who was to be as a
pinnace to the great ship, the Prince, in which the
Prince's Highness did purpose to solace himself
sometimes into the Narrow Seas ; and therefore
she was appointed to be fitted with a very roomy
cabin and all other accommodations for that pur-
pose ; the keel of which ship was laid in the
launching place at the old dock at Chatham the
last day of June, being in length 72 foot, in breadth
24 foot, and to draw 11 foot water, of the burden
250 tons and tonnage, ^ or thereabouts.
Much about the loth July, I sold the good
ship called the Resistance to one Mr. Henry Main-
waring,' brother to Sir Arthur Mainwaring, for
700 and odd pounds, whereof I received 450/.
down and gave time for the payment of the rest,
having Sir Arthur Mainwaring bound for the
payment of the same, which was not performed
in more than two years after. The cause that I
sold this lucky ship was for that Mr. William
1 This use of ' together ' in the sense of mutually, from
each other, is not illustrated in the N.E.D., but it is evi-
dently cognate to its use in the expressions ' love together,'
' see together ' ( = meet) of which examples are given.
■ The burden in * tons ' represents the net wine-carrying
capacity of the ship in Bordeaux casks. The ' tonnage '
was an additional allowance equal to one-third of this ; the
* ton and tonnage ' representing the gross burden (see
Oppenheim, Administration, pp. 30, 132, 266).
» The pirate ; subsequently a naval officer ; author of the
Discourse of the Beginnings, Practices, and Suppression oj
Pirates, and of The Seaman's Dictionary ; knighted 1618.
MS. ' Manwaring ' ; other spellings of the name are Maynwar-
ing, Manwayring, Maynnaring, Mannering.
i6i2 VISIT TO PRINCE HENRY 97
Gibbons,^ that was my master in her, was by my
consent licensed to go with Captain Button (being
his near kinsman) to the North-west Passage.
The 1st of August, being Saturday, the Prince's
Highness being to take his progress from Rich-
mond, I rode from Chatham to Richmond, accom-
panied with Captain John King and Mr. John
Reynolds, then master gunner of the Prince. The
next day, being Sunday, I waited on his Highness to
chapel and at dinner ; he had this day a great deal
of private conference with me concerning affairs
of consequence. After his Highness was risen from
dinner and had talked with me awhile at the bay
window of the presence,^ he was pleased to license
me to depart to dinner, which was prepared for
me and my company by Mr. Alexander, the
principal gentleman usher, at Mr. Wilson's house,
then his Highness' tailor ; from whence I was three
times sent for by his Highness in dinner time, to
attend him to give him satisfaction about sundry
material questions wherein he desired to be satis-
fied ; which done, he sent me to dinner, command-
ing me after I had dined to wait upon him again.
Between two and three of the clock, I attended
according to his Highness' commandment, at what
time he was pleased to deliver his pleasure to the
full unto me, with protestation of the trust he
reposed in me and the good opinion of my per-
formance of what he was pleased to commend to
my charge, with many princely passages of his
* Gibbons, who was Button's cousin, went in the Resolution
as a volunteer. In 1614 he went out again in the Discovery
in command, but this voyage proved a complete failure.
Button had a very high opinion of him, and so, apparently,
had Pett. For an account of the voyages, see Rundall,
Narratives of Early Voyages (Hakluyt Soc), and Christy,
Voyages of Foxe and James to the North-west (Hakluyt Soc).
» Presence-chamber,
98 VISIT OF PRINCE'S SUITE 1612
gracious favour and intendiments to provide for
me. In conclusion, upon my parting, with a most
princely loving gravity, he gave me a farewell in
these words ' Go on cheerfully ' saith he * in that
which I entrust you with, and let not the care for
your posterity incumber you any ways, for you
shall leave the care both of yourself and them to
me, who have a purpose carefully to provide for
you ' ; which gracious speeches took such impres-
sion in me, that when I came to kiss his Highness'
hands at parting I could not choose but shed some
tears, though I little thought (as God knoweth)
that had been the last time I should have seen
him alive, and those the last words that ever he
spake unto me. This night we took our leaves
at Richmond and came to Greenwich, and lodged
that night with Mr. Reynolds.
At the time of our being at Richmond, it was
concluded by Mr. Alexander and some others of
the Prince's servants (not without his Highness'
knowledge) to come to Chatham with their wives
to be merry, and it was agreed also that we would
fetch them to Chatham by water in our pinnaces,
to go round about by water ; which accordingly
was by us performed, and upon the 12th day of
this month we embarked them at Greenwich, about
five of the clock in the morning, to the number of
some twenty persons, men and women, being pro-
vided of all manner of victuals and store of wine
for our passage, and by 6 at night we arrived at
Chatham, where they were that night entertained
at supper and lodged with me, as many as we could
receive; the rest were billeted with Mr. Legatt
and other neighbours ; they were entertained by
none but the Prince's servants. The first day I
feasted all the company ; the second day they were
feasted with great royalty on board the great ship,
x6i2 COMPANY OF SHIPWRIGHTS 99
the Prince, dinner and supper, accompanied with
the Principal Officers of his Majesty *s Navy, where
the King's, Queen's, and all their children's healths
were drunk round with loud report of the ordnance,
a noise of music attending us all the day. We took
leave on board about ten of the clock at night, our
music playing before us, and for our farewell there
were 25 pieces of great ordnance discharged after
the watch was set. On the Saturday, being the
15th day, all the company were feasted, dinner
and supper, at Mr. John Legatt's. On the Sunday
we were all invited to Rochester by Doctor Mil-
bourne, one of his Highness' chaplains, and then
Dean of Rochester, who bestowed upon us a
sermon, himself preaching ; with him we dined
and supped, and then returned to Chatham.
Monday proved so foul and rainy that the
company could not take their journey towards
London as was purposed ; they all dined with me
and supped at Captain King's.
The next proved very fair, so that after break-
fast some in coaches, and some on horseback,
rode for Gravesend, accompanied with Mr. Legatt,
Captain King, and myself ; where we saw them
shipped in a barge, and then took our leaves,
bidding them farewell with some ordnance from
both blockhouses.
The 25th day of September, the new charter ^
for incorporating the shipwrights of England,
granted by King James, in which by the same
charter I was ordained the first Master. I was
sworn in my place of Mr. Master, the dinner being
kept at the King's Head in Fish Street, Mr. Doctor
Pay 2 making the sermon at the next church
adjoining.
About this time my picture was begun to be
1 See Introduction. ^ Perhaps Nicholas Pey
xoo PRINCE HENRTS DEATH 1612
drawn by a Dutchman working then with Mr.
Rock^ at Rochester.
The 15th day of October, my eldest and first
daughter Ann was born at my house [at] Chatham
between one and two of the clock in the afternoon,
and at that time I had a little fit of sickness which
made me keep house 9 or 10 days.
The 25th day of this month the noble Prince
my master, the hope of Christendom, sickened.
The 26th of this month my daughter was
baptized in the forenoon at Chatham Church,
where Mr. Doctor Milbourne, then Dean of Roches-
ter, preached ; where a great company of my
friends dined with me and were very merry, little
thinking of the calamity that so soon followed to
us all in general, but to myself in particular, by
the death of that ever renowned branch. Prince
Henry, my royal and most indulgent master ; at
which time began my ensuing misfortune and the
utter downfall of all my former hopes, to the ruin
of all my poor posterity, being now exposed to the
malicious practices of my old enemies, having
nothing but the mercies of my good God to trust
unto and to comfort me withal.
The 6th day of November, I being the same
day come up to London, in the afternoon I came
to St. James about four of the clock, where I found
a house turned to the very map ^ of true sorrow,
every man with the character of grief written in
his dejected countenance, all places flowing with
tears and bitter lamentations ; and about 6 of
the clock the same evening, the most renowned
Prince of the world, our royal and most loving
master, departed this life, not only to the loss and
utter undoing of his poor servants, but the general
loss of all Christendom of the protest ant religion.
» Thomas ; ship-painter. * Picture, image.
i6i2 AND FUNERAL loi
The beginning of December, I had warning to
attend at St. James upon the preparation for the
funeral of our master, and had black cloth delivered
to me according to the place I was ranked in
above stairs, which was a gentleman of the Privy
Chamber extraordinary ; and the 6th day after,
being Sunday, all his Highness' servants waited
at St. James upon his hearse, then standing in the
Chapel, to whom Doctor Price, then one of his
Highness' chaplains, directed an excellent sermon,
his text being taken out of the 3rd chapter of the
second book of Samuel, the 31st verse, in these
words: — 'Rend your clothes, put on sackcloth,
and mourn before Abner.' There were very
few present at the sermon that did not bitterly
mourn and shed tears in abundance.
The next day, being Monday the 7th December,
we did attend his Highness' corpse to the funeral
in the Abbey at Westminster, which was the most
lamentable march that ever I went. It was three
of the clock in the afternoon before his body was
placed under the hearse. The Lord of Canter-
bury's Grace preached the funeral sermon : there,
with his body, I burying all my hopes of my
future preferments. I came with an exceeding
heavy heart that night to Ratcliff, where that
time I lodged.
After the ceremonies of the funeral were per-
formed, I returned to my house at Chatham, where
I stayed till the 27th day of this month, and then,
being sent for by the Lord High Admiral's messen-
ger to attend his pleasure, I rode to London by
land, where I stayed till the end of December, and
then returned again to my house at Chatham.
The 6th day of January I received a letter
from the Lord High Admiral, together with the
list of those ships that were appointed to be made
102 SHAM SEA FIGHT 1613
ready for the transportation of the Lacly Eliza-
beth/ with warrant to put them presently in
hand to be graved and fitted accordingly.
The nth day I was sent for from Chatham by
a messenger, to attend the Lord Admiral, lying
then at Chelsea ; which accordingly I presently
performed and rode to London, where I stayed
full three days, the Lord Admiral sitting every
of those in council, attended by the Principal
Officers of the Navy, the Masters and Master Ship-
wrights, to resolve not only for the preparation of
the fleet to attend the transportation, but also for
preparing man}^ vessels, to be built upon long
boats and barges, for ships and galleys for a sea-
fight to be presented before Whitehall against
the marriage of the Lady Elizabeth ; the manner
whereof concluded and ordered in writing, I was
licensed to go to Chatham, to take order for the
Disdain and sending up of as many long boats and
sea barges as could be spared from the Navy ;
which having ordered, I returned again presently
to London, and did there attend daily in overseeing
these businesses, which were put out by the great ^
to divers yardkeepers,^ by reason of the shortness
of time limited for making them ready against
the marriage. By reason of this my continual
attendance, not only upon that service but also
upon the Admiral and Sir Robert Mansell (princi-
pally entrusted for the ordering of the whole
service), I first took a lodging at Westminster, near
Sir Robert's house, in St. Stephen's Alley,* which
> Daughter of the King, married to Frederick, Elector
Palatine, subsequently King of Bohemia. Prince Rupert
was her third son.
» By contract. " Shipbuilders.
* St. Stephen's Alley occupied a site near the position
of the present Parliament Street, where Charles Street runs
into it.
i6i3 LADY ELIZABETH MARRIED 103
I continued many years after. Amongst other
vessels fitted for this piece of service was an old
pinnace of the King's called the Spy, of the burden
of 60 tons, having 9 pieces of brass ordnance,
appointed to serve as an Argosy, whereof I was
(somewhat against my will, by the Lord Admiral's
persuasion) made to serve as a Captain, in which
jesting business I ran more danger than if it had
been a sea service in good earnest.
After the sea fight was performed, I was en-
treated by divers gentlemen of the Inns of Court,
whereof Sir Francis Bacon was chief, to attend the
bringing of a mask by water in the night from St.
Mary Overy's ^ to Whitehall in some of the galleys,
but, the tide falling out very contrary, and the
company attending the maskers very unruly, the
project could not be performed so exactly as was
purposed and expected, but yet they were safely
landed at the Privy Stairs at Whitehall ; for which
my pains the gentlemen gave me a fair recompense.
The marriage consummate and these royalties
ended, the Lord Admiral gave me a present
despatch to po^ c to Chatham, to make all possible
haste for to make ready the fleet, the Prince being
appointed to go Admiral, ^ and to transport the
Lady and the Palsgrave's ^ person and the Lord
Admiral to command her. So that upon the 21st
day of February I took my journey from London
to Chatham, and about the middle of the week
ensuing I caused the Anne Royal and the Lion to
be brought on the ground and graved.
On the 27th of this month I launched the small
» The wharf of that name at Southwark. It lay north-
west of the present cathedral (St. Saviour's) which had been
the church of the Priory of St. Mary Overy.
2 I.e. the Prince Royal to be flagship of the fleet.
» The Elector Palatine.
104 TRANSPORTATION OF THE 1613
ship I had begun to build the summer before, which
the Lord Admiral was pleased to call by the name
of the Phoenix, and was also appointed to be one of
[the] Fleet for the transportation, being commanded
by Sir Allen Apsley, then Victualler of the Navy.
The 5th and 6th days of March I careened the
Prince, and might with much ease have brought
her keel above the water but that I received a
strict commandment from the Lord High Admiral
that I should not careen her but within six strakes ^
of the keel, to which purpose Mr. Thomas Ayles-
bury,^ then his Lordship's secretary, was sent
down to see me perform it.
About the 14th of this month the Lord Admiral,
very careful to have all things ordered as befitted
the royalty of such a service, came down to Chat-
ham in person, where he stayed two days to direct
all things according to his liking ; wherein I gave
his Lordship much satisfaction, and by the end of
this month I had by my care and diligence fitted
the whole Fleet to set sail to Gillingham.
The 1st of April, being Maundy Thursday, the
Prince set sail over the chain, ^ Captain John King
being master. The Lord Admiral, being newly
come to Chatham, came on board of us as we were
under sail and went down in her to Gillingham,
* ' A strake is the term for a seam betwixt two planks (as
the . . . ship heels a strake, that is one seam),' Mainwaring
(1623). According to Blanckley (1750) the term was applied
to ' the uniform ranges of planks on the bottom, decks and
sides of the ships.' The ship was not to be heeled over
further than would bring the sixth seam, or edge of the sixth
plank, above water.
• MS. ' Alsbrey.' Mathematician ; appointed one of the
Commissioners of Inquiry in 1626 ; Master of the Mint and
created baronet in 1627 ; appointed Surveyor of the Navy in
1628.
■ At Upnor.
i6i3 PALSGRAVE AND ELIZABETH 105
coming to an anchor at St. Mary Creek's mouth.
His Lordship lay at Mr. Legates.
On Easter day, being the 4th of April, the Lord
Admiral with his retinue received the holy sacra-
ment in the parish church at Chatham. Doctor
Pay that was chaplain to the Lord William
Howard, Baron of Effingham and Vice Admiral
in the Anne Royal, preached and delivered the
sacrament.
On Easter Tuesday in the afternoon the Lord
Admiral with all his retinue removed from Chat-
ham, and came on board their several charges at
St. Mary Creek at Gillingham, and lay on board
in his own cabin this night. So soon as prayers
were done this evening and the tables covered,
the Lord Admiral, out of his noble favour to me,
called me unto him and there gave me special
charge to take my place at his own table all the
voyage ; and would not commonly have grace said
before his Lordship had seen me set down, except
I had been upon some earnest business, giving
charge also to all his officers to let me have any
thing of his own provisions which I should send
for at any time. I lay in a settle bed on one side
of the master's cabin.
Wednesday being the 7th day, at quarter flood,
being about eleven of the clock, we set sail from
Gillingham, the wind at south-west, a pretty fresh
gale : the ship wrought exceedingly well and was
so yare ^ of conduct, as a foot of the helm did steer
her : we came to an anchor at Queenborough a
great while before high water, where we rode
all that night.
The next day, being Thursday, the wind south-
west and a very fair gale, the Admiral had given
order we should weigh betimes to get out, and
* Nimble, quick, ready.
io6 THE PRINCE ROYAL 1613
accordingly the Anne Royal, being Vice Admiral,
in whom Hugh Meritt served Master, was fitted
and prepared for the purpose, having one anchor
on board by the time the ship was went up upon
the flood, and was ready with his other anchor
on peak,^ supposing we had been so provident to
have our ship in the like readiness ; but our master,
willing to do his countryman a courtesy, that lay
by our side in a hoy with forty tons of beer of our
provision to take in, neglected the time so long,
being not accustomed to command such great
ships, that it was more than half flood before we
could get our anchor on board ; by reason whereof,
the tide running very strong and the wind harten-
ing 2 in, it was almost high water before we were
fitted to set sail and our other anchor got up. The
wind then having power on our weather quarter,
and the tide upon the lee bow, kept our ship from
flatting ; ^ and in the setting of our sails, many
seamen being with us that were prime commanders
and captains, attending the Lord Admiral as his
retinue, had every one their voice in commanding
and countermanding one another, that they bred
a mere * confusion and put the master clean
besides almost his senses ; so that in fine the ship
was put on ground at the top of high water, upon
the tongue of the spit of the sand going into
Queenborough, where, do what we could with all
our wits and endeavours, she sat all the tide of
ebb and almost ebbed dry ; which unfortunate
accident gave not only great discouragement to
the Lord Admiral, to have such a chance befall
1 MS. * pike' The anchor is a-peak when the cable is
heaved in so far as to bring the hawse of the ship right over
the anchor, the cable being then perpendicular.
' On p. 94 the wind is spoken of as having ' harted. '
» Going round ; turning head from wind. « Complete.
i6i3 PUT A-GROUND 107
him, but also gave great advantage to the enemies
of the ship, of whom the Lord Northampton was
chief, to persuade the Lady EHzabeth not to
venture her person in such a vessel that had so ill
a beginning, but rather to embark herself in some
other and to return her ^ home.
When we saw we were so fast as there was not
hope of getting the ship off that tide, I desired
liberty to sound the place where she sat, which
the Lord Admiral easily gave his consent to do.
I then calling into the boat with me some of the
captains that were masters and mariners, amongst
which I chose Captain Robert Bradshaw and
Captain Geare for two principal, with others,
and John Reynolds, then Master Gunner of the
ship, taking lead lines with us, we sounded both on
head, stern, and sides ; and finding soft ground and
little difference in depth, we were satisfied that
the ship could take no hurt if she had strength
sufficient to bear herself with so massy a weight
as she had in her of ordnance, victuals, and other
things in hold, and her masts and sails above
head, with so much company, both of the mariners
belonging to the ship and the Lord Admiral's
retinue, being not so few in all as 800 persons ;
but God be thanked, the ship took no harm at all ;
and we, having sounded the depth of the same
furrow she made in running on shore, we caused
an anchor to be laid right a-stern as her dock ^
directed us, and so with little difficulty she was
heaved afloat into the channel in the morning
tide, to the great satisfaction and content of ^ the
Lord Admiral and general joy of the whole com-
pany, for which we gave God thanks.
* I.e. the ship.
2 The ' furrow ' or depression in the ground made by the
ship's bottom. » MS. ' to.'
io8 TRANSPORTATION OF THE 1613
The next days, being Friday and Saturday,
we lay still to prytly ^ the ship and take in such
provisions as were wanting.
The nth day, being Sunday, we weighed and
set sail, and anchored for that night at The Spits ^ ;
next day we weighed and anchored short of the
Long Sand head^ ; next day we weighed and
anchored middle of the Channel * ; next day
anchored short of the North Foreland.
The 15th day, being Thursday, we came to an
anchor in Margate Road.
The next day the Lord Admiral went on shore
to Margate, where he lay 3 days at the house of
Mr. Roger Morice, one of the 4 Masters of His
Majesty's Navy, and then returned on board.
The 2ist day, being Wednesday, [the] Lady
Elizabeth's Grace [and] the Palsgrave, with all
their train, came to Margate ; there were embarked
in barges and the ships' boats, and were received
on board the Admiral, where they lay all the
night.
The 22nd day, the wind being got easterly and
likely to be foul weather, her Highness, with the
Palsgrave and most part of her train, were again
carried on shore to Margate and there landed.
The 25th day, being Sunday, they were all
again embarked in the barges and boats and
* This word, which Pepys transcribes as ' pritly,' is not
in the N.E.D., but since it appears to have the same meaning
as * predy ' (or ' priddy ') which was in use at sea in the seven-
teenth century for ' make ready ' or ' set . . .in order,' it is
not impossible that it may be a variation of that word.
» Tlie ends of the Buxey and Gunfleet sands, where the
Spitway leads between them from the East Swin to the
Wallet.
* Eight and a half miles north of Margate.
* The entrance to the Thames, opposite the Queen's
Channel ; not the EngHsh Channel.
i6i3 PALSGRAVE AND ELIZABETH 109
received on board the ships ; presently we set
sail and that night anchored without the Foreland.
The 26th day the wind shortened ^ upon us, so
that we were constrained to anchor in the midst
of the Channel in 25 fathom, being a windy, rainy,
foul night.
The 27th day, being Tuesday, was a very wet
forenoon, but about 11 of the clock whilst her
Highness was at the sermon, it cleared up and the
wind veered southerly, so that we weighed, both
having fair weather and a fair wind ; standing our
course, quarter winds, a little before we made the
land we lost a man through his own wilfulness.
This evening we anchored under Blankenberghe ^
Sconce,^ being very fair weather.
The 28th day we weighed about noon, and
anchored thwart of Sluis,* where came on board us
with his yachts,^ the Prince of Orange, Grave ^
Maurice, with a great train of gallantry and
followers, who all lay this night on board the
Admiral.
The 29th day we weighed upon the flood and
turned up to Flushing. Some mile short of the
town, her Highness, with the Palatine and most
part of her train, were embarked in the barges and
boats, being very fair weather, and was saluted
with all the ordnance of the whole fleet, and landed
at Flushing, where they were received with all
1 Drew ahead or became ' scant.' The use of ' shorten
in this sense is rare and unknown to the dictionaries.
2 MS. ' Blakenborough. ' On the Belgian coast.
3 MS. * Scone.' A small fort or earthwork.
« MS. ' Sluce.'
^ MS. ' yoathes.' This must be one of the earHest instances
of the introduction of the Dutch ' lacht ' into EngHsh. The
word * yacht ' does not seem to have come into use until after
1660.
• Count : Dutch ' Graaf/
no TRANSPORTATION OF THE 1613
royalty and saluted with all the ordnance of the
town and castles and guarded with the soldiers
and garrison of the town ; our ships anchored a
little above the Rammekens.^ This afternoon I
went on shore to attend the Lord Admiral and lay
in Flushing, our charges being defrayed by the
town. The 30th day, being Friday, the Count
Palatine took leave of her Highness and went post
to the Palatinate.
This afternoon I, with others of the Lord
Admiral's retinue, took coach to Middelburg and
were lodged and billeted for our diet at the
English house with him.
This forenoon, being May Day, divers of our
retinue took a coach and rode to Camphire ^ to
see the Island ; this afternoon her Highness and
her train were received into Middelburg with all
royalty.
The second day, being Sunday, the Burghers
feasted her Highness at the Town House ; this
evening the Lord Admiral brought me to take
leave of her Highness and to kiss her hand ; the
next day her Highness took leave of the Lord
Admiral and his train, having attended her to the
place where she was embarked ; which done, the
Lord Admiral returned from Middelburg in his
barge on board the Prince, where he found such a
multitude of people, men, women, and children,
that came from all places in Holland to see the
ship, that we could scarce have room to go up and
* Fort Rammekens, east of Flushing, at the entrance of
the channel between Walcheren and South Beveland. Ram-
mekens, Flushing, and Brill were then occupied by EngUsh
garrisons as * cautionary towns,' in security for the money
lent to the Dutch by Elizabeth.
* Campvere, now called Vere, on the north-east side of
Walcheren Island, at that time the staple port for Scottish
merchants.
i6i3 PALSGRAVE AND ELIZABETH iii
down till very night, which confluence of people
lasted from the time we anchored at Flushing
till we weighed thence.
Fourth day ; [the] Lord Admiral gave order
we should weigh from Flushing to avoid the
trouble of people, which accordingly was done, and
we fell down to Cassant Point ,^ where we anchored
all that day and next night.
The 6th day, in the morning, we weighed with
the wind at east -north-east, a fresh gale and very
fair weather, and this evening we anchored under
the Gun fleet .2
The 7th day, the wind continuing easterly, we
weighed and set sail, and by 12 of the clock we
came to anchor at Gillingham, from whence I
attended the Lord Admiral in his barge to Chat-
ham, where he lay that night at Mr. Legates
house. I found my wife and family all in health,
and gave God thanks for his preservation of us in
our journey and safe return home to our mutual
comforts.
Sir Robert Mansell lay at my house. On
Saturday morning, being the 8th day, the Lord
Admiral went from Chatham, on whom I attended
to Gravesend, and there taking leave returned
back to my house [at] Chatham.
At Whitsuntide Sir Robert Mansell was com-
mitted to the Marshalsea,^ upon some displeasure *
his Majesty took against him by the instigation of
the Lord Northampton, where he was detained
prisoner, till the 13th June following [he] was
released at Greenwich.
1 On the (then) I. of Cadzand. « off the Essex coast.
3 The prison situated near St. Saviour's, Southwark.
* Mansell was accused of taking exception to the Com-
mission for Inquiring into the Abuses of the Navy, in a con-
temptuous and disloyal manner.
112 DEATH OF MATHEW BAKER 1613
In the latter end of July I received command-
ment to take the charge of new building the Defi-
ance, being then in dry dock at Woolwich. Old
Mr. Baker having the charge of new building the
Merhonor at the same time in the same dock with
her, upon which business I was entered the second
August.
About the middle of August, old Mr. Baker
sickened and, perceiving his sickness was to death,
was desirous to recommend the finishing of the
Merhonor to me, and to that end importuned me
to ride to Windsor to the Lord Admiral to signify
his earnest suit to his Lordship in that behalf ;
which was willingly condescended unto, and I
had his Lordship's warrant at the same time for
it ; he deceasing the last of this month, and his
funeral was solemnized at Deptford, the second
of September, where myself was present.
About the midst of September, my good,
faithful friend, Mr. Sebastian Vicars, the carver,
departed this life ; and the 27th day of this month
my second son Henry departed this life at Chat-
ham ; and at the very instant my noble, worthy
friend. Sir Thomas Button, then Captain Button,
alighted at my house, newly being returned from
the dangerous voyage of the North-west Passage,
where he had wintered.
The i6th of October, I escaped a great danger
by the fall of my horse within one mile of Dartford,
being riding to Chatham.
The 28th of October, I was taken very sick,
going by water from Woolwich to Westminster
to accompany the ordinary shipwrights and other
of Chatham to move the Lord Admiral about their
pay, being much behindhand. I was forced this
night to lie at the King's Head in Fish Street,
whither I came from Westminster on foot, to
i6i4 SICKNESS 113
have prevented my sickness. The whole com-
pany having appointed to dine there, most part
of them waked with me all that night. The next
day, accompanied with my brother Peter, I took
oars to Gravesend, and from thence rode home,
being taken with a fit upon Gad's Hill, with much
ado recovering my own house, presently taking
my chamber, and being dangerously sick ; from
whence I did not stir down stairs till Christmas
holidays after ; which happened ill for my busi-
ness at Woolwich, where in my absence, through
the careless neglect of the foremen, the workmen
made wonderful spoil and havoc.
The next week after I took my sickness, and
the news thereof, brought to London, came to
the ears of the Lord Admiral, who acquainted
his Majesty therewith ; whereupon I received two
several letters from the Lord Admiral by post,
and special commandment from his Majesty to be
certified the truth, and to let me know that, if I
needed, some of his own physicians should be
sent unto me ; which exceeding great grace from
his Majesty and expression of love from the
Lord Admiral was no small comfort unto me in
my extremity.
The end of this month my wife's cook-maid
died in the house, and was buried on New Year's
Day.
The seventh of January, I returned from
Chatham to Woolwich with my wife and some of
my children and family ; and because my lodg-
ings at the Dock were not fitted, I lay in the town
at the house of a widow woman called Mistress
Spicke, for the space of a month, till the lodg-
ings in the King's Yard were prepared and made
ready.
Th^ 14th of February, I began to victual all
114 THE KING OF DENMARK 1614
the shipwrights and workmen employed upon the
Merhonor and Defiance at Woolwich.
The 28th of March it pleased God miraculously
to preserve me from loss of life by a fall on board
the Honor, which was only from deck to deck,
by God's merciful providence very hardly escap-
ing to fall into, the hold, which would have beat
me all to pieces.
The 14th of June, my honourable and impla-
cable enemy, the Earl of Northampton, departed
this life at his house at Charing Cross.
The 22nd of July, the King of Denmark came
suddenly to Somerset House unexpected.
The first of August, my gracious master, King
James, accompanied with the King of Denmark,
Prince of Wales, Lord Admiral, and many other
lords, came to Woolwich and went on board the
Merhonor, then being in dry dock and almost
finished, which ship liked them wondrous well :
here our King took leave of his Majesty of Den-
mark and returned to Whitehall. From hence
the King of Denmark took barge to Gravesend,
being accompanied with the Prince and Lord
Admiral ; Sir Robert Mansell and myself were
commanded to attend them.
The second of August, the King of Denmark
was entertained on board the Prince, riding at
her moorings in the river of Chatham, the Prince of
Wales and the Lord Admiral of England accom-
panying him. Sir Robert Mansell and myself
attending. The ship was completely rigged and
all her sails at the yards, and richly adorned with
ensigns and pendants, all of silk, which gave very
great content to the King of Denmark; yet it
was a very foul rainy day. From thence they
returned to Gravesend, where they took leave and
the King of Denmark embarked in his own ships.
I
i6i6 VISITS WOOLWICH 115
In the end of November, all the workmen that
wrought upon the Merhonor were discharged
from Woolwich.
The 6th of March/ the Merhonor and Defiance
were both launched out of the dry dock at Wool-
wich in one tide, and the 25th day of April follow-
ing they set sail from Woolwich, and the next
day came to their moorings at Chatham.
In May the dock at Woolwich was prepared
for the receiving in of the Elizabeth Jonas and the
Triumph, v/ho were appointed to be new built ;
which ships were accordingly brought from Chat-
ham, and were both brought into the dock, the
first and second days of June, and the gates shut
again and the ships shored.
The 25th of July, the Lord's Grace of Canter-
bury lay at Rochester, and went on board the
Prince, riding at her moorings, where he was
entertained with a banquet of sweetmeats by Sir
Robert Mansell, myself attending there.
The 29th of August, I removed from Wool-
wich to Chatham with my wife and family, and
the next day after my wife sickened of a surfeit,
eating too many grapes, which had like to have
cost her her life.
The 9th of October, my wife was delivered of
her 7th child, being a son, between the hours of
10 and II [o']clock at night : the 22nd day after
he was baptized at Chatham Church and called
by mine own name, Phineas ; the witnesses were
Mr. Robert Yardley andMr. King, godfathers, and
my sister Simonson, the godmother.
About the 27th day of March I bargained with
Sir Walter Ralegh ^ for to build him a ship of 500
tons, which I procured leave for from the Lord
Admiral, to build her in the galley dock in his
» 1615. « MS. ' Rawly.'
ii6 BUILDS SHIPS FOR 1616
Majesty's Yard at Woolwich, towards which I
presently received 500/. to begin withal, and the
8th day of April following I began to set men on
work upon her.
The 8th day of April, I bought a piece of ground
of one Christopher Collier, lying in a place called
the Brook at Chatham, for which I paid him 35/.
ready moneys.
The 1 8th day of April, I was elected and
sworn Master of the Corporation of Shipwrights
at our common hall and meeting place at
Redriff.
The 13th day of May, I bought the rest of the
land at the Brook, of John Griffin and Robert
Griffin, brothers, and a lease of their sister, belong-
ing to the College of Rochester.
The 22nd of May, I removed my wife and some
of my family from Chatham to Woolwich.
In July Sir Henry Mainwaring caused me to
build a small pinnace of 40 tons for the Lord
Zouch, being then Lord Warden of the Cinque
Ports, which pinnace was launched the 2nd of
August and presently rigged and fitted, all at my
charge ; and the 6th day we set sail with her from
Woolwich accompanied with Sir Walter Ralegh
and his sons. Sir Henry Mainwaring, Mr. Chris-
topher Hamon,^ cousin William Hawkridge,^ my-
self, son, and divers others. The first tide we
anchored [at] Gravesend ; next night at the North
Foreland ; next tide in the Downs, where we landed
and rode to Dover Castle in the Lord Warden's
coach, sent purposely for us, leaving the pinnace
to be brought in to Dover Pier with the pilot
and mariners. We stayed at Dover till the
1 6th of August and then took leave of the Lord
» Mentioned by Ralegh in his testamentary memorandum.
" See note on p. 151.
I
x6i7 LORD ZOUCH AND RALEGH 117
Warden, and came to Woolwich the 17th day at
night.
Towards the whole of the hull of the pinnace
and all her rigging and furniture I received only
100/. from the Lord Zouch, the rest Sir Henry
Mainwaring cunningly received in my behalf,
without my knowledge, which I could never get
from him but by piece-meal, so that by the bar-
gain I was loser 100/. at least.
The 3rd day [of] December following, died my
brother Cooper at Chatham. The i6th of De-
cember I launched the great ship of Sir Walter
Ralegh's called the Destiny, and had much ado
to get her into the water, but I delivered her to
him on float in good order and fashion ; by which
business I lost 700/. and could never get any
recompense at all for it, Sir Walter Ralegh going
to sea and leaving me unsatisfied.
This year of 1617 proved a very fatal and
troublesome year unto me. The 14th day of
March I removed my wife and family from Wool-
wich to my house at Chatham, she being so
big with child that I was forced to carry her by
coach, and that very leisurely for that she was
with child with two twins. The 20th of this
month my wife's own father died at his house at
Highwood Hill.
The 15th day of April my wife was safely
delivered of two daughters at 12 of the clock
at night : they were both baptized in Chatham
Church the 22nd day in the afternoon, being
Tuesday ; the eldest named Mary ; the other
Martha.
About the midst of May, I was sent for by the
Lord Treasurer, then Earl of Suffolk, and Sir
Fulke Greville, then Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and by them employed in a most troublesome
ii8 COMMISSION 1617
business into the New Forest in Hampshire, where
one Sir Giles Mompesson ^ had made a vast waste
in the spoil of his Majesty's timber, to redress
which I was employed thither to make choice, out
of the number of trees he had felled, of all such
timber as was useful for shipping ; in which busi-
ness I spent a great deal of time, and brought
myself into a great deal of trouble.
The 6th of November my daughter Mary, the
eldest of the twins, departed this life at Chatham,
and was buried 2 days after at Chatham.
The 8th day of December my young son Phineas
departed this life after he had lived 2 years 2
months and odd days,^ and was buried at Chatham.
My dear loving wife sickened at Chatham the
29th day of December, and hardly escaped with
life, yet it pleased God she did recover.
The last of this month my brother Simonson
made himself away in the garret of his own house
at Ratcliff, to the utter undoing of his poor wife
and children.
In the month of June ^ there was a commis-
sion granted by his Majesty to certain Commis-
sioners for the reformation of the abuses in his
Majesty's Navy, the names of which Commissioners
were Sir Lionel Cranfield,* Sir Thomas Smith, ^
» Politician ; degraded 1621. Smiles, Men 0] Invention
and Industry, p. 43, says he was the original of ' Sir Giles
Overreach ' in Massinger's play, * A New Way to Pay Old
Debts.'
» Sic.
" 161 8 ; see Introduction.
* A prot^gd of Northampton and Buckingham. Master
of Wardrobe and Court of Wards. Treasurer 1621. Earl of
Middlesex 1622. Impeached 1624.
* First Governor of the East India Company, member
of the Muscovy Company, and Treasurer of the Virginia
Company.
i6i8 OF INQUIRY 119
Sir Richard Weston/ Sir Francis Gofton,* Sir
Richard 3 Sutton, Mr. John Coke,* Mr. Pitt ^ of
the Exchequer, Sir John Osborne, Sir John
Wolstenholme,^ Mr. Burrell, and Captain Thomas
Norreys.
The 6th day of July these Commissioners
came to Chatham in great state, having called to
assist them divers masters of the Trinity House
and divers shipwrights of the river of Thames,
where, commanding also the masters and master
shipwrights of his Majesty's Navy, they went on
board the Prince and there publicly caused their
Commission to be read, the Officers of the Navy
being present ; which done they proceeded to give
order for a general survey of all the ships in the
Navy, with all their furniture, and all other things
belonging unto them ; in the which was spent a
great deal of time, for they returned not to London
till the 1 6th day of the month after. Myself was
commanded in particular from his Majesty to give
them the best assistance I could, which accordingly
I did with all diligence and carefulness ; which
proved afterwards to the ruin and undoing to
me and all mine, the whole bent of Mr. Burrell
tending only to overthrow me and root my name
out of the earth, by his means procuring most
part of the Commissioners to join with him in his
malicious practice ; so that from the time that
1 Chancellor of the Exchequer 1621. Created Earl of
Portland 1633.
^ Knighted in company with Sutton, Pitt, and Osborne in
February 161 9.
3 MS. * Robert.'
* MS. ' Cooke.' Deputy Treasurer of Navy 1591 ; knighted
1624.
^ William Pitt ; one of the Tellers of Receipt.
« MS. ' Worsenam.' Of the East India and Virginia Com-
panies ; knighted 1617.
120 VISIT OF BUCKINGHAM 1618
he was settled, I was sequestered from meddling
with any business, and all employments and pri-
vileges taken from me. Captain Norreys being
brought over me, and I forced to live as a slave
under them the whole of the time of their Com-
mission, undergoing many disgraces and contempts
which I could not possibly have undergone had
not the Lord been exceedingly merciful unto me
in giving me patience to submit myself to his will
and pleasure.
The whole year of '18, '19 and part of *2o, I
attended altogether at Chatham, being employed
upon the making of the new dock and other busi-
nesses under the command of the Commissioners ;
the reward of my extraordinary pains was recom-
pensed with no other reward than base usage and
continual counsels and plats to ruin me, wherein
they obtained the sum of their desires to the utter
undoing of me and mine ; Mr. Burr ell and Norreys
my greatest enemies.
The 24th of January in this present year my
wife was delivered of a young son at Chatham,
who was, the 3rd day of the same month, being
Sunday, baptized in Chatham Church by Mr.
Fyham ; his name called Phineas. The witnesses
were my wife's sister Russell and niece Hawk-
ridge, godmothers, my nephews Peter and WilUam
Pett, godfathers.
The 19th day of this present month of July
in the year 1619, the great Duke of Buckingham,
lately made the Lord Admiral of England, came
to visit the Navy then riding at Chatham, being
accompanied with divers lords and Sir Robert
Mansell ; who in his being here used me with such
extraordinary public respect that wrought me
much prejudice in the opinion of the Commis-
sioners, who ever after plotted to ruin me and to
/
x62o TO CHATHAM 121
bring me out of favour both with the Lord Admiral
and the King himself.
The 20th day of November, attending at Theo-
balds to deliver his Majesty a petition, his Majesty
in his princely care of me, by the means of the
honourable Lord High Admiral, had before my
coming bestowed on me for supply of my present
relief the making of a knight baronet,^ which I
afterwards passed under the broad seal of England
for one Francis Radclyffe ^ of Northumberland,
a great recusant,^ for which I was to have 700/.,
but by reason that Sir Arnold Herbert * (that
brought him to me) played not fair play with me,
I lost some 50/. of my bargain.
About this time the Commissioners of the Navy
had finished two new ships built by Mr. Burrell at
Deptford in his Majesty's Dockyard, and had
procured the King's Majesty to come thither
and see them, and named ^ the one the Happy
Entrance, and the other the Reformation.
The 14th day of May in the year 1620, my
wife was delivered of her eleventh child, being
the last she had, being a son born at my house in
Chatham. The 25th day after, it was baptized and
called Christopher. Sir Christopher Cleve ^ and his
1 This rank was instituted in 1611 by James I. to raise
money for the Crown, the sum to be paid being 1095^. At
first certain restrictions as to numbers and conditions were
made. The restrictions were gradually withdrawn, and under
Charles I. blank patents were put up for sale. The price seems
to have fallen as low as 300/. by the end of Charles I.'s reign.
2 MS. * Ratcliff ' • ancestor of the Earls of Derwentwater.
3 A Roman Catholic who refused to attend his parish
church. * A gentleman pensioner, knighted in 1617.
^ I.e. the King named them. The names allude to Buck-
ingham's entrance into the Lord High Admiralship and his
* reformation ' of the Navy affairs.
« Or Cleive (Clive), MS. ' Cleave.' Knighted in 1605.
122 EXPEDITION 1620
brother-in-law, Mr. Samuel Heyward, being god-
fathers, and my good neighbour, Mistress Legatt,
godmother.
The 1 2th day of June this present year. Sir
Robert Mansell being ordained Lord General of
the Fleet for the expedition against the Pirates of
Algiers, by his great importunity with his Majesty
I was commanded to go in hand with building two
new pinnaces for that voyage, whereof the one
was to be of burden 120 tons, and the other, 80
tons ; for which I did contract with certain mer-
chants of the city that were appointed Committees
for that business, whereof Sir Thomas Smith,
Mr. Burrell, and divers others of my great enemies
were of the quorum ; but I, upon some hopes of
thanks and reward, enlarged them to a greater
proportion than my contract, making the one
wherein I was myself to serve as Captain in the
voyage, of 300 tons, called the Mercury, and the
other, called the Spy, of 200 tons, wherein Captain
Edward Giles served ; and for that I exceeded the
contract, the unconscionable merchants and Com-
mittees cast upon me all the whole surplusage^
of the charge, to the value of 700/., notwith-
standing I was forced to hasten the business and
to keep extraordinary numbers of workmen at
great rates, and in a place where the provision and
materials were nightly stolen and embezzled to
my utter undoing ; whereof I never could obtain
any recompense, though to my great expense and
charge I made means both to his Majesty and the
Lords of the Council, and had warrant against
the Committees, but was continually overborn by
their greatness and malice.
The i6th and i8th days of October, both the
pinnaces were launched at Ratcliff, where they
* MS. ' surplage.'
i62i TO ALGIERS 123
were built, and all expedition was used to rig and
make them ready to set sail ; I preparing myself,
to my great charge, to proceed in the voyage and
to get the ships to Erith, because of ice in the
river, where we rode till we were cleared thence
by the Committees, which was about the 22nd of
December ; at what time Mr. Puniett the pilot
came on board me to carry me into the Downs,
and Sir John Ferne,^ that went passenger with
me to the Fleet ; my wife also came then on board
of me.
The 27th day of December, we weighed and
turned down from Erith into Tilbury Hope, where
we rode till the 29th day, and then weighed, and
anchored at the buoy of the Oaze Edge.^
The 30th day of December, I parted with my
wife and sent her to Gravesend in a light horseman
that came to the ship with some provisions.
We set sail from the buoy of the Red Sand ^
the first of January, being New Year's Day, and
anchored in the Gore, where we rode one day, and
thence into the Downs, where we landed our pilot.
We rode in the Downs till the 13th day, and
then set sail and were put into the Needles, and
anchored at the Cowes two days ; then set sail,
and the 4th of February we made the South Cape.*
The 8th day we entered into the Straits of Gibral-
tar,^ and the 8th day at night came to an anchor
in Malaga Road.
The 19th day of September, 1621, we arrived
in the Downs, and the 20th day at night, I came
^ Captain of the Mary gold merchantman.
2 Probably what is now the West Oaze Buoy, about five
miles east of the Nore Light.
« South-east of the Oaze, on the opposite side of the Oaze
Deep.
* Cape St. Vincent. • MS. ' Jubellatare.*
124 SURVEY OF 1621
safe to my house at Chatham, finding my wife
and children all in good health, for which mercy
of God I gave God thanks, as did also my whole
family.
All the year 1622 I did nothing but follow the
Court with petitions, to my infinite charge and
trouble, and all to little purpose, for I could never
prevail against my adversaries, who detained all
my entertainment for the Algiers voyage, both for
myself, son, and servants ; which cost me 300/.
setting out, and the expense of the voyage.
I must not forget that in the beginning of the
year 1621, before I was two months out of England,
[through] the malice of Mr. Burrell and some of
the rest of the Commissioners for the Navy, that
there were divers master shipwrights of the river
of Thames and some masters of the Trinity House
sent down to Chatham to survey the state of the
Prince ; ^ amongst which Commissioners was, be-
side old Burrell and his son, my fellow,^ Stevens,
Graves,^ Dearslye,* Bourne,^ Thomas Brunning of
Woodbridge, and one Chandler,^ a creature of Mr.
Burrell's, and divers other mariners, who maliciously
certified the ship to be merely unserviceable and
not fit to be continued, and what charge soever
should be bestowed upon her would be lost, which
they certified under their hands. But the 24th of
February succeeding, by special command from his
Majesty, who well understood their malicious pro-
ceedings, the selfsame surveyors were again sent
• See Introduction.
• Stevens was now a master shipwright, associated with
Pett at Chatham ; see Introduction.
• John Greaves ; see note, p. 55.
• John Dearslye.
' Robert Bourne, nommated an ' Assistant ' in the
charter of 1612.
• Edward. MS. ' Chandelor.'
1623 THE PRINCE ROYAL 125
to Chatham and under their hands certified that
the ship might be made serviceable for a voyage
into Spain with the charge of 300 pounds/ to be
bestowed upon her hull and the perfecting her
masts, which certificate was returned under their
hands and delivered to his Majesty. Whereupon
present warrant was granted to have the ship
docked and fitted for a Spanish voyage ; which
was accordingly done, and brought into the dock
the 8th of March, 1623, at Chatham, and was
launched the 24th day of the same month.
About the 17th of this month of February, I
attended at Theobalds the very morning that the
Prince's Highness and the Lord Duke of Bucking-
ham took leave of the King to take their journey
for Spain, being carried so privately that few knew
of their intent. At their taking horse I kissed
both their hands and they only gave me an item ^
that I should shortly come to sea in the Prince.
After the Prince and the rest of the Fleet were
all fitted and prepared to set sail from their
moorings, the St. George fell down to Gillingham
with the Antelope, being both appointed to go
before to Santander with the jewels and other
provisions. The noble gentleman, my honoured
friend. Sir Francis Steward,^ commanding in her,
whom my eldest son, John Pett, attended as one
of his retinue in that journey, and Captain Thomas
Love * commanded in the Antelope.
The 2nd of May being on a Friday, the Prince
removed from her moorings to St. Mary Creek,
where she anchored. Thither came down from
* The estimate was 994/. iis. M. Coke MSS. (Hist.
MSS.), vol. i. p. 130. * Intimation, hint.
* See Introduction. — Steward was in command of the
rear squadron in the Cadiz expedition of 1625.
* Knighted 1625.
126 VOYAGE 1623
London many of the Commissioners of the Navy,
with Sir Thomas Smith and the Lord Brooke/
who all plotted together to have hindered me from
going the voyage which the King had commanded
me unto, but their malicious practices were pre-
vented and their purposes frustrated.
The 17th day of May I took leave of his Majesty
in the park at Greenwich and kissed his hand,
with many expressions of his favour, which was not
very pleasing to Sir John Coke, then there present.
The 20th of May, the Prince set sail from St.
Mary Creek and anchored at Queenborough ;
the 2ist day we set sail from Queenborough and
anchored at Whitaker ; ^ 23rd day anchored [at
the] Gunfleet ; 24th day anchored short [of the]
North Foreland ; 25th day we came and anchored
in the Downs, where we rode till the 28th day of
June, having three several times proffered to go
on, but were still put room ^ again ; but the 28th
day, being Saturday, v/e weighed and got as high
as Fairlight,* where we anchored all the flood and
so plyed to windward all the ebbs, being fair
weather. On Tuesday after, being the first of
July, we came to anchor in Stokes Bay by Ports-
mouth. The 20th day of August, his Majesty,
then lying in the New Forest at Beaulieu ^ House,
embarked himself and train and came on board
the Prince, then riding in Stokes Bay, accompanied
with Marquis Hamilton,® the Lord Chamberlain,'
• Sir Fulke Greville, created Baron Brooke in 1621.
' Whitaker Spit, between the Swin and the entrance to the
river Crouch.
" Obhged to veer, or go large.
• MS. ' Fayrelye.' East of Hastings.
• MS. ' Beawlye.'
• James, second Marquis of Hamilton, a commissioner
for the marriage of Prince Charles to the Infanta.
' William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.
i623 TO SPAIN 127
Holderness/ Kellie,^ Carlisle,^ Montgomery,* and
divers other attendants, who all dined on board
the Prince ; our Admiral, the Earl of Rutland,*^
being absent at London. His Majesty was very
well pleased, and after dinner, again embarking
in the barge, lay hovering in the midst of the Fleet
till all the ships had discharged their great ord-
nance, and then returned on shore at Calshot
Castle.
In the interim of our stay in Stokes Bay I
procured leave of the Admiral to go to London,
and the 2nd day of August, being Saturday, I
met my wife at Lambeth with my son Richard.
There we lay that night, and the next day took
oars to Kingston, where we lay till Tuesday
following, on which day I went to Hampton
Court to take leave of my honoured lord and
good master, the Earl of Nottingham, who then
lay there in his old lodgings, which was the last
time I ever saw him, being the fifth of August.
The next day I took leave of my wife and friends
at Kingston ; she returned home, and myself to
Portsmouth on board the Prince again.
The 24th day of August, being Sunday and
Bartholomew's day, we set sail out of Stokes
Bay in the afternoon ; the 25th day, the wind
taking us short ® put us into the grass ' at
1 Sir John Ramsay, created Earl of Holderness in 1621.
* Thomas Erskine, created Earl of KeUie in 1619.
8 James Hay, created Earl of Carlisle in 1622.
* Philip Herbert, created Earl of Montgomery 1605.
* Francis Manners, sixth Earl of Rutland.
* Drawing ahead suddenly and becoming foul ; cf.
* shorten/ p. 109.
' This expression is unknown to the dictionaries, and it
is difficult to conjecture its meaning : it may be a synonym
for ' bank ' or ' shore/ or for ' seaweed,' which would be found
in the shallower water near the shore.
128 VOYAGE 1623
Weymouth, where we rode till the 26th at night ;
and thence setting sail with the wind easterly,
on the 28th day, being Thursday, we came to
anchor in Plymouth Sound.
The 2nd day of September, being Tuesday,
in the morning betimes we set out of Plymouth
Sound, and by contrary winds we beat it up till,
the 9th day following, being Tuesday, we made
the Cape of OrtegaP bearing south-west of us.
The loth day we lay becalmed, and the nth
day about 2 of the clock in the forenoon we came
to an anchor in the river of Santander.
The I2th day, it pleased God, the Prince and
all his train came to Santander and presently
took his barge, being there ready attending for
him, and came on board the Prince, accompanied
with all the Spaniards that attended him thither,
where we all joyfully received him. After some
stay on board, his Highness resolving to lie at
Santander Town that night, where provision
was made to entertain him and his train, he took
his barge to go back ; whereinto we, being over-
joyed with his safe arrival, forgot to send either
master, pilot, or mariner to conduct him to the
town, being a dangerous rocky way, and the tide
of ebb bent,^ which runneth there with a very
swift stream ; which had likely to have proved
a very dangerous accident, for that at the instant
of embarking there arose a very great tempest
of rain and wind and darkness withal, so that
> N.W. Spain. MS. ' OrtingalL'
' Apparently ' bent ' was in use at this period in speaking
of the tide when it had turned and begun to ebb or flow
with full force. CJ. Luke Ward's narrative (1582) in
Hakluyt (vol. xi. p. 174) : ' Being at anchor, I manned
our boat and would have gone aboard the Admiral, but
could not, the flood was bent so strong.'
1623 TO SPAIN 129
the barge could not possibly row ahead ^ the
tide, whereby she was ia great danger to have
been driven to sea out of the harbour's mouth, to
the utter loss of all in her, had not God in mercy
prevented it by the vigilant care of the captain
and officers of the Defiance, Sir Sackvill Trevor ^
being the commander,^ who seeing the danger
they were in, veered out casks and buoys with
lights fastened unto them, by small^warps, of
which they taking hold, were rowed and haled
on board the ship, where the Prince with all his
train were entertained and lodged all this night,
the weather proving so stormy and rainy that no
provision from any other ship could be brought
unto them.
The 13th day, being Saturday, the Prince came
on board his own ship and lodged in his own cabin.
The 14th day, being Sunday, the Prince feasted
all the Spaniards that accompanied him to the
waterside, the Cardinal Zapata and his brother,
who was a grandee, being the chief, with Gondomar *
and divers others of the King of Spain's servants ;
whom he feasted with no other provisions than
such as we brought out of England with us :
stalled oxen, fatted sheep, venison and all kind
of fowls and other varieties in abundance, wanting
no ordnance to welcome them withal, loudly
speaking every health ; but it was a very foul
^ I.e. make way against.
* Brother of Sir John Trevor, and a naval officer of distinc-
tion ; knighted in 1604.
3 The captain, or commanding officer. ' Commander ' as
a substantive rank dates only from 1793.
* MS ' Gundamar/ Diego Sarmiento d'Acuna, Count of
Gondomar. He played an important part in the foreign policy
of Great Britain from 1613, when he was sent to England as
ambassador to bring James into accord with Spanish poHcy.
It was Gondomar who secured the execution of Ralegh.
130 RETURN 1623
rainy day. Notwithstanding, at their going from
the ship all the ordnance was discharged in our
ship, all the rest of the Fleet following in order as
they passed by to the town of Santander.
The Rainbow, wherein Sir Henry Palmer
commanded as captain, and John King, one of the
four Masters, being master, by neglect of follow-
ing the Admiral, could not get within the river's
mouth, but was forced to leeward, where she rode
three days and nights in such extremity as every
hour it was expected when she should drive upon
the shore, which she hardly escaped by God's great
mercy, and upon the Tuesday after, came safely
off and anchored under the Prince's stem.
On Thursday, being the i8th day of September,
we set sail out of Santander River, the wind some-
what southerly, from whence we beat it to and
fro with contrary winds till the 26th day after,
being Friday, at which time a little before noon
we had sight of Scilly, which bore north-east of
us, about some 8 leagues off.
This day we met 4 Dunkirk men-of-war, very
well fitted, chased by Holland men-of-war, whom
the Prince caused to come to leeward, and their
commanders to come on board ; whom his High-
ness laboured to have accepted a peaceable course,
which the Hollanders dui'st not accept, whereupon
they were dismissed, the Dunkirkers having liberty
to have the start of the Hollanders, which many
disliked.
Saturday all day we plied to and fro, and
got within some four leagues of the Islands, the
wind at north-east but fair weather.
On Sunday a Council of War was summoned,
wherein was principally propounded his Highness
landing upon the Island of Scilly ^ in the ketch,
* MS. ' Sylla.' He means the principal island, St. Mary.
>
1623 FROM SPAIN 131
some pilots of the island being come off unto us,
but it was generally protested against under all
the Council's hands, and so were dismissed to
their charges ; but after supper, beyond expecta-
tion, order was given to make ready the long boat
and to call the ketch, and the Prince made choice
of all the company should accompany him on
shore, and so about one of the clock after midnight,
with great danger to his Highness' person and to
the Lord Duke of Buckingham, they were put into
our long boat, which was veered astern by a long
warp, where the ketch, laying the long boat on
board, and the sea going somewhat high, they
entered the ketch disorderly, without regard to
any, but everyone shifting for themselves. Being
all shipped, the ketch was so over burdened as
she could make but little way, so that after we
had taken farewell with the discharge of a volley
of our great ordnance we tacked into the sea and
left the ketch to ply into the island, which she safely
gained by 7 of the morning, and had landed the
Prince and all his company on St. Mary's Island.
The next morning our Admiral advised with me
what course we should take with ourselves, for
the Prince had commanded Sir Henry Main waring,
who was Captain under the Admiral, and Mr.
Walter Whiting, the Master of the ship, to attend
him in the ketch, I being left purposely to supply
both their places in their absence. After serious
consultation with the master's mates and two pilots
of the island, who all assured us we might safely
go in, the Admiral resolved on that course, and
after two or three boards we laid it in quarter
winds,^ and came to an anchor in the best of the
1 I.e. the ship first beat to windward, tacking two or three
times, and then laid her course for the anchorage with the
wind on her quarter.
132 RETURN 1623
road about 2 of the clock afternoon ; the Prince
and all his train standing upon the lower point
of land, and welcomed us in as we passed close
by with much expression of joy and heaving up
their hats. The Prince and his train lay in the
Castle 1 four nights.
On Friday morning, being the 3rd of October,
we set sail out of Scilly, and on Sunday following,
being the 5th day, we came into St. Helen's and
anchored on Nomans Land,2and shipped the Prince
and his train into our long boat and other ships'
boats, who were safely landed at Portsmouth about
II of the clock ; we taking our farewell with dis-
charge of all our great ordnance, seconded by
all the Fleet, with general thanksgiving to God
for our safe arrival, to the joy and comfort of all
true hearted subjects.
The 14th day of October, we set sail from St.
Helen's Point, being Tuesday. The i6th day
after, being Thursday morning, we came to an
anchor in Dover Road, where, having leave of the
Admiral, I went into a fisher boat, and taking in
my son John out of the St. George, wherein he
had served the whole voyage under Sir Thomas
Steward, we landed at Dover, from whence we
took horse to Chatham, where we alighted at my
house about 4 of the clock in the evening, finding
my wife and family in good health ; for which
great mercies in our preservation in the whole
journey and safe return we all gave thanks to our
good God.
The 24th of May, 1624, being sent for to St.
James's, I there received from Sir Robert Carr,^
by the Prince's Highness' order, a gold chain of
^ Castle Hugh, near Hugh Town, the capital.
* The shoal at the entrance to Spithead, north of St.
Helen's. * Gentleman of the Chamber.
1624 FROM SPAIN 133
the value of 104/. in way of reward for my attend-
ance in the voyage into Spain in bringing his
Highness home, which chain I was commanded
to wear one day, and to wait upon the Prince
to the Parhament, which I accordingly did and
received very gracious respect from his Highness.
About this time I was joined Commissioner
with Captain Love, Captain Edward Giles, and
Mr. John Reynolds, the Master Gunner of England,
to take up divers colliers, and to put them out to
sundry shipwrights to be fitted for men-of-war,
for which service I never received allowance.
In the beginning of October this present year,
happened a wonderful great storm, through which
many ships perished, especially in the Downs,
amongst which was riding there the Antelope of his
Majesty, being bound for Ireland under the com-
mand of Sir Thomas Button, my son John
being then passenger in her. A merchant ship,
being put from her anchors, came foul of her, and
put her also from all her anchors, by means
whereof she drove upon the Brakes,^ where she
beat off her rudder and much of the run ^ abaft,
miraculously escaping utter loss of all, for that
the merchant ship that came foul of her,^ called
the Dolphin, hard by her utterly perished both
ship and all the company. Yet it pleased God to
save her, and got off into the Downs, having cut
all her masts by the board, and with much labour
was kept from foundering. My son John was
sent post from the ship to Sir Thomas Button,
who was presently sent by the Lord Admiral on
board, and brought warrant for me to attend him
to the ship, to use the best means we could to save
^ The sands along the Kent coast off Sandwich.
2 The narrow part of the ship's bottom near the stern
post. * MS. * over.'
134 DEATH OF JAMES 1624
her. After our coming on board, by placing
chain pumps into the steward^s room, we kept the
water easily under, and then fitted a rudder and
jury masts, by which means she was safely brought
to Deptford Dock and her defects perfected.
About the end of December this present year,
the Prince was docked, to be prepared and fitted
to sea, meanwhile the Duke of Brunswick ^ came
to Chatham accompanied with divers of the
Prince's servants, and went on board the ship in
the dock.
The 29th day of January after, the Prince was
launched, and soon after had her masts set ; and
divers other ships graved and made ready for
a voyage to sea.
The 28th of March 1625, certain news was
brought to Chatham of King James' death ; and
the next day after, his Majesty was proclaim.ed
amongst us in the Navy at the Hill House ; ^ the
Masters, Boatswains, Gunners, Pursers, and all
belonging to the Navy were present.
All April and May I attended at Chatham, to
prepare the Fleet that was then bound to fetch
over the Queen. In the latter end of May his
Majesty came to Rochester, where I presented
myself unto him in the Dean's Yard and kissed
his hand and had speech with him, till he came into
the house, where he dined and I attended him all the
dinner while. Thence I hasted home, and waited
liis Majesty's coming by towards Canterbury, who
alighted at my house and stayed there awhile
» Duke Christian of Brunswick-Wolfenbiittel. He arrived
in England on December 20 with letters of recommendation
from Elizabeth of Bohemia, whose cause he was championing,
and was the guest of the Prince of Wales.
» The official residence of the Navy Officers on Chatham
Hill.
1
1625 CHARLES VISITS THE FLEET 135
and gave me leave to drink his health, and then
returned to his coach, giving me charge to follow
him and to hasten on board the Prince, being
then in the Downs. According to his command, I
presently took horse and followed him, and lay at
Sandwich that night, and next day came into the
Downs ; went on board to the Vanguard, com-
manded by Captain Pennington, bound for France,
where I met Sir Thomas Button, Captain Ned
Giles, and other good company ; there dined,
and after was set on board the Prince.
Saturday the 4th of June, his Majesty came
on board the Prince, riding then in Dover Road,
where he dined and was safely landed again.
Yet this evening we let slip and went room ^
for the Downs with very foul weather.
Thursday the 9th of June, we got over to
Boulogne ^ and anchored in Boulogne Road.
The loth day we had a great storm, the wind
nor'th-west, where all our ships drove,^ and we
brake our best bower and were forced to let fall
our sheet anchor, which put us both to great
danger and puzzle * of loss of men and boats, and
had also one of our men belonging to the steward-
room drowned.
Sunday morning, being the 12th day, all
things prepared fit and the great storm allayed,
about II of the clock we received our young Queen
on board, and having a fair leading gale, fitting
the entertainment of a Queen, we set sail out of
Boulogne Road about one [of the] clock, and before
8 had safely landed her and her train at Dover.
Monday morning I left the ship and went on
shore at Dover, and missing my horses was forced
* Bore large, bringing the wind on the beam or quarter.
- MS. ' BuUen.* ' Dragged their anchors.
* Predicament.
136 APPOINTED ON 1625
to go to Sandwich, where I lay all night, and next
day hired post horse home. The boatswain of
the ship, John Handcroft, died so soon as I was
landed upon the beach.
The 14th day of July 1625, my eldest son John
Pett was married to Catherine Yardley, youngest
daughter to Mr. Robert Yardley, of Chatham,
deceased. The wedding was kept at our own
house.
The 24th of September my wife's mother
sickened at my house [at] Chatham, and the 4th
of October she died, and the 6th day, being
Thursday, she was buried in the chancel of our
parish church: Mr. Pyham^ made her funeral
sermon.
The last part of this Christmas quarter, I was
posted to and again from Chatham to London
and Hampton Court, about building of small
ships and presenting plats * of them, both to the
King and Commissioners of the Navy, to very
little purpose and my great trouble and charge.
In the year '26 I was called to sundry employ-
ments, the one to have built a new ship at Chatham
of 300 tons, and Mr. Burrell was to have built
another, for which I made moulds and sent them
into the woods by one Thomas Williams, ship-
wright,
My son Joseph died in Ireland in February
this year.^
who hewed the frame in the woods, which was
* John Pyham, Vicar of Chatham.
• Designs.
> This has been added at the bottom of the page, where
it has no connection with the context. In the margin Pett has
written, 'Son Joseph died in Ireland this year 1625.'
1627 COMMISSION OF INQUIRY 137
brought into the yard with an excellent provision
of long straight timber ; but by the mahce of Mr.
Burrell the business was hindered, and not suffered
to go forward, so that the frame was kept in
the yard till it was good for no use of shipping ;
but afterward I was employed to build two
small pinnaces of 70 tons a piece or thereabouts,
which I performed accordingly at Chatham, my
son Richard being my principal foreman. They
were called, the one the Henrietta, the other
Maria, after the Queen's name.
Also, the Commissioners of the Navy growing
to be called in question for their actions, in the
latter end of this year,i there was a great com-
mission of Lords and divers other experienced
captains granted under the Broad SeaP for inquiry
of their actions, amongst which number I was
chosen one : much doing was about it, but in the
end it trenched so far upon some great person-
ages, that it was let fall and nothing to any purpose
done in it, but divers of the Commissioners came
to Chatham, and surveyed the state of the ships
and other things ; and so in the end of January
following returned all to London.
The 14th of February, being Wednesday and
St. Valentine's Day, my dear wife Ann departed
this Hfe in the morning, and was buried the Friday
after in Chatham Church in the evening, leaving
behind her a disconsolate husband and sad family.
Not long after, I being at London, my only sister
then living, Mary Cooper, departed this life the
fifth of March for very grief of the loss of my dear
wife.
This summer, my son John was made captain
of a merchant ship, and served under Sir Sackvill
* 12 Dec. 1626. Pett was named last in the list.
2 I.e. the Great Seal.
138 SECOND MARRIAGE 1627
Trevor's command at the taking of the French
prize called the St. Esprit.^
In July, I was contracted to my second wife
Mistress Susan Yardley, the widow of Mr. Robert
Yardley, whose daughter my son John had
formerly married. The i6th of the same month
we were married at St. Margaret's Church, by
Mr. Franklyn ; Mr. George Wilson ^ gave her in
the church.
The 20th of February, 1627,' the Commissioners
of the Navy were summoned before the Lords,
and their commission called in and dissolved, and
the government of the Navy conferred upon the
Principal Officers then being, to be carried as in
former times.
The 26th of February, attending the Officers
of the Navy at Sir Sackville Crowe's * house by
Charing Cross, Sir^ John Pennington came thither
to acquaint them with a warrant from the Lord
Duke, directed to him and myself, for present
bargaining with the yard-keepers' of the river
for the building of 10 small vessels ' for the enter-
prise of Rochelle, of some 120 tons a-piece, with
one deck and quarter only, to row as well as sail.
The 28th day of the same month we concluded
our bargains with the several yardkeepcrs and
drew covenants between us, and delivered them
imprests® accordingly. In this business I was
employed till the latter end of July, that the
ships set sail to Portsmouth. My son John was
placed Captain in the sixth Whelp, built by my
> Built by the Dutch, but intended for the Frcndi Navy.
It was captured in the Texcl and added to the EngHsh Fleet.
• One of the four Masters Attendant.
• MS. ' 1637.' 1628 new style. * Treasurer of the Navy.
• Knighted in 1634. • Shipbuilders.
' The ten Lion's Whelps. • Pajonents in advance.
1628 ARRESTED FOR DEBT 139
kinsman Peter Pett ; having liberty from the
Lord Duke to make choice for him amongst them
all, I chose that pinnace before the rest, supposing
she would have proved best, which fell out after-
ward clean contrary.
The 2ist of this month of July, as I was going
in London to attend the meeting of the Officers
of the Navy, I was arrested at the suit of one
Freeman, upon 3 executions for timber delivered
to the building of Sir Walter Ralegh's ship and
the two pinnaces built at Ratcliff ^ for the expedi-
tion of Algier, and was forcibly carried to prison to
the Counter ^ in the Poultry, where I was lodged
all night. The next morning, the King and the
Lord Duke being made acquainted by Sir John
Pennington with the business, the Lords of the
Council were twice assembled about my clearing,
and the care recommended to the Lord Treasurer
Weston, who employed his secretary, Mr. John
Gibbons, to see me freed, which was done by a
habeas corpus to remove me to the Fleet,^ where
I was carried and there put in bond for my appear-
ance the first day of Michaelmas term ; so for
that time discharged, Mr. Gibbons defraying the
whole charge. A little before this his Majesty
gave me a blank for making a baronet, which was
signed by his hand.
I received warrant from the Lord Duke to go
to Portsmouth, there to attend the setting out
of the Fleet ; which accordingly I did, taking my
» MS. ' Redcliff.'
» More usually spelt ' Compter ' : one of the debtors' prisons
attached to the Sheriff's Court ; the last was aboUshed in
1854.
» The prison on the east side of Farringdon Street, taking
its name from the Fleet River ; burnt down in 1666 and in
1780 ; it was aboHshed in 1842.
140 MURDER OF BUCKINGHAM 1628
journey from Lambeth the first of August, accom-
panied with my son Richard, Wilham Dalton, and
some other shipwrights. When I came to Ports-
mouth, by means of some friends I procured a
convenient lodging in a private house, where
I lay all the time of my being there, in which I
saw many passages and the great disaster happen-
ing unto the Lord Duke. After the mutiny upon
the Green on Friday in the evening, about the
execution of a poor seaman that was hanged upon
a gibbet on the beach, and the next day, being
Saturday and the 23rd day, about 10 of the clock,
the Duke was murdered in Captain Mason's ^ house
by a private * discontented lieutenant called
Felton, being stabbed with a knife to the heart
as he was talking with Sir Thomas [left blank
in MS.) ^ at the parlour door.
The 4th of September, my son John took leave
of me in the evening and went on board his ship ;
whom I never saw after, being unfortunately cast
away in the return from Rochelle ; both ship and
men perishing in the sea, as it was supposed
foundered in the storm, which was a grievous
affliction to myself, my wife [and] his own wife,
left great with child at his going to sea.
The 6th September, the service concluded and
all the Fleet sent away, I left Portsmouth accom-
panied with son Richard and returned for Chatham,
coming thither on Monday the 8th day, finding my
wife and family in good health, praising God for
our comfortable meeting.
/ Treasurer of the Army, with whom Buckingham was
lodging.
■ Apparently used in the sense of ' unemployed.*
■ Colonel Sir Thomas Fryer. The circumstances are
related in detail by Dr. S. R. Gardiner in his History of England
from the Accession of Janus /., vol. vi. chap. Ixv.
i
1628 IMPRISONED IN THE FLEET 141
After divers passages and journeys from
Chatham to London and Hampton Court, to my
great expense, and could conclude nothing for
clearing my arrest, I was forced, for saving harm-
less my sureties in the Fleet,^ to deliver myself
a prisoner the first day of the term, going thither
in the evening, taking possession of the chamber
provided for me with a heavy heart, my son
Richard accompan3dng me. Afterward, being
advised by my worthy friend, Captain Pennington,
who never forsook me in all my troubles, but
furnished my wants continually, way was made to
acquaint his Majesty with my case ; who very
graciously gave order to the Lord Treasurer to see
me freed from prison, where I continued, not-
withstanding, six or seven days before I could
be released and an agreement concluded with
Freeman for his debt by the Lord Treasurer ;
which done, I presented myself to his Majesty who
used me very graciously.
In this interim I received certain intelligence of
the great loss of my son John, his ship, and all his
company, who foundered in the sea about the
Seames,^ in a great storm about the beginning of
November ; not one man saved to bring the dole-
ful news ; no ship near them to deliver the cer-
tainty, but a small pink belonging to the Fleet,
that was within ken of her, and saw her shoot
9 pieces of ordnance, hoping of succour. This
affliction was the greater for that his dear wife
was, much about the time of her husband's loss,
delivered of a son at my house at Chatham,
having a mournful time of lying in, which son was
baptized at Chatham Church on Sunday the 23rd
day, afternoon, called Phineas. The witnesses : —
* I.e. the prison of that name.
* Chauss6e de Sein, south of Ushant.
142 FALL FROM HORSE 1628
my wife, godmother; myself and good friend,
Mr. George Wilson, being godfathers.
Towards the end of December, I was appointed
by the Officers of the Navy to take charge of
docking the Vanguard at Woolwich, which I
presently took order in, to have the dock fitted
and prepared for that purpose.
I docked the Vanguard and caused a dam to
be made without the gates ; then took down the
gates and wharves within the dam, and made
all new, both floor, wharves and gates ; which was
finished in a short time. About this time, riding
from Woolwich to Greenwich, sent for by Captain
Pennington, mid way betwixt both, the horse
gave me a dangerous fall, close by a ditch side
full of water ; by which I received a great hurt
upon my right leg and thigh, which was sore
bruised by the fall, in so much as I had much
ado to get back again, and was not recovered of
the hurt in six weeks time, but was forced to use
crutches.
About the beginning of June, by Captain Pen-
nington's procurement I passed the baronet given
me formerly by the King, for which the Captain
received for me 200 pounds, which he sent me to
Woolwich in gold.
About this time I gave over my house at
Chatham and surrendered the lease thereof to Mr.
Isackson,^ the painter, who renewed it for longer
time with Sir Robert Jackson, then Lord of the
Manor.
Towards the end of September, I was employed
by the Lord Treasurer Weston as a Commissioner
for his Majesty to the forests of Shotover and
Stowood, near Oxford, which forests were
granted from his Majesty by letters patent to
* Richard, successor to Paul Isackson.
i629 DEATH OF RICHARD 143
the Earl of Lindsey ; ^ wherein I discharged my
duty so effectually as gained me a good opinion
both from his Majesty and the Lord Treasurer ;
from which employment I returned to Woolwich
the 8th day of November, having finished a tedious
and troublesome business.
The 27th day of November, it pleased God
to take from me my dear beloved son Richard,
who died with me at Woolwich and was buried in
the church chancel next day after ; being a great
affliction unto me, by reason he was my eldest son
then living, being a very hopeful young man, and
for his years an excellent artist, being trained by
me to that purpose for making of ships.
A little after Christmas, I was employed as a
Commissioner with Mr. Treswell,^ Surveyor of his
Majesty's Woods, to view certain parks of his
Majesty : as Ditton Park, Sunning Park and pDlly
John 3 Park, lying near about Windsor; which
we despatched in four or five days, and returned
back to Westminster, and delivered in the account
and certificate of the business to the Lord
Treasurer.
Towards the middle of February, there was a
resolution by his Majesty and the Lords of the
Admiralty to make an addition of assistants to
the Principal Officers of his Majesty's Navy, for
the better managing of that great business by
experienced men ; to which purpose Mr. William
Burrell was nominated as one and myself by his
Majesty's own appointment was chosen for the
other, not without some strong opposition which
1 Robert Bertie, created Earl of Lindsey 1626 ; admiral
of the second fleet sent to Rochelle in 1628.
• Robert Treswell.
3 Foliejon on the modern ordnance map. ' Folly '
appears to be a local name for a clump of trees on a hill.
144 ASSISTANT TO 1630
could not prevail ; so that there was a letter under
his Majesty's signet directed to the Officers,
and ourselves to sit with the Officers, and to
authorise us to proceed together in all businesses
concerning his Majesty's Service, which was
twice read in public court at their meeting in
Mincing Lane, the 8th day of March 1629, and then
we took place first with them ; where it was con-
cluded to begin first with a general survey of the
whole Navy at Chatham, and all stores within
and without doors, and to put out by the great,
as we should hold fitting, the repair of all apparent
defects in the ships, which was recommended
wholly to the care of Mr. Burrell and myself ;
which was effectually performed by us, and the
works of the ships put to Mr. Goddard,^ one of
the Master Shipwrights, to be done by contract ;
which business we fully concluded by the end of
March, 1630.
After we had settled all business at Chatham,
Deptford and Woolwich, Mr. Burrell and myself
took our journey, the 6th of May, to Portsmouth,
where we arrived the 8th day after ; taking up
our lodgings at [the] Dock with the Clerk of the
Stores,* where Mr. Burrell lay, and myself at the
Clerk of the Check,' both Mr. Brookes and brothers;
here we stayed upon despatch of all business con-
cerning the defects of the ships, surveys, and other
material business ; which having all ordered,
settled, and graved the ships, we returned thence
and came to London the 4th day of June following.
The 4th of August, there was a great Com-
mission sent to Portsmouth, to take a view of the
harbour and the river running up to Fareham,*
for the removing of his Majesty's ships to a more
* Henry Goddard. » Francis Brooke.
» John Brooke. • MS. 'Farum/
1630 THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS 145
safe place of riding ; all the Principal Officers of
his Majesty's Navy being Commissioners, together
with Mr. Burr ell, his Majesty's Masters of the Navy,
and six of the chief Masters of the Trinity House.
There was much dispute and contrariety about
the business, but in the end a fair agreement was
concluded. Some of the Masters of the Trinity
House there sickened, which hastened both their
returns and ours back. In our return home,
myself was taken very sick at Farnham, where
Mr. Burrell and myself parted, he staying behind
about some particular business of his own, but
we never saw one another after, being the 13th day
of August. It pleased God that I got home to
Woolwich that very night very dangerously sick,
and stirred not out of my chamber in eight weeks
space, in which interim Mr. Burrell died in an
inn, as he travelled toward Huntingdon, the end
of this present month.
About the 23rd day of November following, I
was sent again to Portsmouth with a commission
to search and enquire about the worm which was
reported to eat the ships in the Road, to their
endangering and hazard. There were divers
Master Shipwrights joined with me in the business,
but upon strict examination upon oath there
could be no such matter found, but only a rumour
raised to hinder the keeping of any his Majesty's
ships in that harbour .^
About the end of December his Majesty signed
my letters patent for the place of a Principal Officer
* The report, signed by Phineas Pett, Jo. Dearslye, Peter
Pett, Andrewes Burrell, John Greaves and John Taylor, is
preserved (S.P. Dom. Chas. I. clxxvi. 8). Mr. Oppenheim
(Administration, p. 297) points out that * five years later some
of the same men turned round with " we positively conclude
that there is a worm in that harbour." '
146 A NAVY COMMISSIONER 1631
and Commissioner of his Navy, and the 19th day
of January following I had my letters patent
publicly read at the meeting of the Principal
Officers of his Majesty's Navy in Mincing Lane in
London, and accordingly took my place amongst
them ; the 26th day after, they were publicly
read before the whole Navy men at Chatham.
The 23rd of February I brought my wife
from Woolwich to Chatham in a coach all the way
by land ; we alighted at son Yardley's door where
we took up our lodging.
The first of March I received from Mr. Robert
Smith, Messenger of the Navy, 8 commissions of
purveyance and other business concerning the
Navy under the Broad Seal of England directed
to me.
The 2ist day of April, being Thursday, his
Majesty, accompanied with divers of the lords, as
the Treasurer ,1 Chamberlain,^ Marquis Hamilton,
Holland ^ and others, came to Woolwich to see
the Vanguard launched that day, which was per-
formed to his Majesty's great content. I enter-
tained them in my lodgings with wine, cakes and
other things, which were well accepted. His
Majesty commanded me into the barge with him,
purposing to have landed at Deptford to have seen
the St. Denis,* newly repaired in dry dock, but the
rain hindered his landing, and I was taken out of
his Majesty's barge into a pair of oars. On Friday
morning was launched the Victory, lying above
the Vanguard in the same dock [at] Woolwich.
» Richard Weston, created Baron Weston in 1628, and
Earl of Portland in 1633.
• The Lord High Chamberlain was Robert Bertie, Earl of
Lindsey ; the Lord Chamberlain was Philip Herbert, Earl of
Pembroke, who had succeeded his brother, William.
■ Henry Rich, ist Earl of Holland, beheaded 1649.
• A prize of 1625 taken into the Navy.
^
i63i CHARLES VISITS CHATHAM 147
On Frida3^ being the 13th of May, I shipped all
my goods and household stuff from Woolwich in
one Starland's hoy, which were all safely landed at
his Majesty's new dock [at] Chatham the next day.
On Monday, the i6th day, I brought myself and
family into my lodgings at the new dock.
Wednesday, being the 15th day of June, all the
ships in the Navy at Chatham being completely
trimmed in all points, rigged, and all their sails
at yards, and ordnance on board, his Majesty, at-
tended with divers lords, came to Strood ^ about 2
o'clock afternoon, where the Officers of the Navy
attended his Highness with barges and boats, and
being embarked rew ^ down the river on board the
Prince, and from her on board all the ships riding
in that [place]. At his Majesty's embarking, the
ships did orderly discharge their ordnance. The
King went to his lodging at the Crown, Rochester.
Next morning betimes, his Majesty took
his barge again, and went on board the rest of
the ships riding in the upper reach, beginning
with the Lion, being the uppermost ship ; so to the
rest in order, observing the course and order of
the discharging their ordnance as the day before ;
then landed at the old dock and viewed all the ord-
nance upon the wharves ; then walked on foot to
the new dock, by the way taking notice of the
ropehouse and storehouses without the dock gates ;
then came into the yard and viewed the stores
and houses ; after came into my lodgings, where
he stayed a pretty while ; then went to the top of
the hill on the back side, where his Majesty stood
to see the ordnance fired from the ships ; from
thence walked back to the old dock, where his
» MS. 'Strowde.'
' A very late example of this form of the past tense of
*row.*
148 CHARLES AT PORTSMOUTH 1631
Highness took his barge to Rochester, by the way
hovering to observe the trained-band placed in
two battahons and skirmished in warlike manner,
to his Majesty's great content. His Majesty
landed at Rochester and went to dinner ; then
called for the Officers of the Navy, giving * them
many thanks for their care and pains ; then took
his coach to Gravesend, thence up by water to
Greenwich.
Monday morning, being the 25th of July, I
took my journey from Chatham towards Ports-
mouth, riding through Sussex. We came to
Portsmouth [the] 27th day at night and lodged
at the Queen's Head. We were sent to provide
and prepare all the ships riding at Portsmouth in
manner as they were at Chatham, to entertain
his Majesty, resolved to view them all ; which was
accordingly performed.
The second of August, being Tuesday, his
Majesty came to Portsmouth accompanied with
divers lords, and presently took boat and went on
board each several ship, from thence treatably *
returning, and the ships saluting him with their
ordnance. His Majesty was landed by six of
the clock and went directly to the Governor's
house, where he was lodged, and called for supper
as soon as he came. Next day I attended his
Majesty for order for removing the ships, which
presently was done by his Majesty's own mouth ;
and waiting at dinner, his Majesty commanded
me to attend the Lord Treasurer and others, to
transport them into the Isle of Wight and bring
them back ; which I carefully performed in his
Majesty's pinnace, the Maria, appointed for that
purpose, and safely landed him from the Cowes at
Titchfield Haven, being attended with one of the
» MS. ' given.' « Deliberately.
i
1633 WOOLWICH AND DEPTFORD 149
Whelps. I returned to Chatham from Portsmouth
the loth of August after.
The 25th of this month, being Thursday, my son
John's wife, lost in the sixth Whelp, was married
to Edward Stevens,^ a shipwright, in Chatham
Church, the wedding being at my house in the
new dockyard, where we gave entertainment to
all his friends till Monday after, when they returned
for London.
In 2 the beginning of this year, 1632, I was com-
manded from his Majesty to assist my son Peter in
the building a new ship at Woolwich, which was begun
in February, being of the burthen 0/800 tons and ton-
nage; most part of the frame and provisionsbeing made
in the forests of Shotover and Stowood, Oxfordshire ;
my son had the oversight of the work. About the
Sth of June, his Majesty came to Woolwich to see the
work, where I entertained him afterwards in my
lodgings and attended his Majesty to Deptford in his
own barge, where he landed to view the other new ship
built by Mr. Goddard.
The soth day of January, 1633, the new ship at
Woolwich was launched, the Kings Majesty being
there present, standing in my lodgings. It proved
a fair day and good tide, so that the ship was put out
without strain of tackle, which much contented his
Majesty, who soon after took his barge and returned
to Whitehall. The ship was named the Charles
after his own name.
The next day the new ship at Deptford built by
Mr. Goddard was launched, the King and Queen's
Majesties being present, and was called after the
Queen s name, Henrietta Maria.
By the beginning of March, the Henrietta being
» Son of Edward Stephens, late Master Shipwright.
Imprisoned in 1626 for disrespect to Pett and Trevor.
* The passage in italics is wanting in the original MS.
150 THE CHARLES 1633
come to ride at Woolwich by the Charles, both being
ready fitted to set sail for Chatham, his Majesty was
pleased to come down in his barge on board theCharles,
We presently weighed with both ships and set sail
with the wind at south-west and better ; his Majesty
went in her a little beneath"^ Barking Creek, and
then took his barge and returned, we taking leave
after the manner of the sea with our voices and
whistles, and the Kings trumpets upon the poop.
By low water we were got beneath the Nore a good
distance, and there anchored all night, and the next
flood we turned up as high as Oakham Ness ^ and
there anchored, and on Monday after came over the
chain.
The 22nd of March, I was appointed to make a
journey to Portsmouth to take survey of all the busi-
ness there, both on float and on the shore. Mr.
Edisbury,^ Mr. Goddard, Mr. Goodwin * the Master,
Mr. Apslyn,^ and our clerks going along with us.
We took our journey from London on Friday
morning, and came to Portsmouth on Sunday after-
noon. It was the 6th of April following before I
returned to home to Chatham. The 11th day, son
Peter first time took his journey to Woodbridge in
Suffolk to see Mrs. Coles eldest daughter.
The 15th of June, 1633, / went a journey to
Portsmouth from Chatham, through part of East
* Below. * MS. Ockum. In the Medway.
» Kenrick Edisbury, alias Wilkinson, who in 1626 was
Paymaster of the Navy, succeeded Sir Thos. Aylesbury as
Surveyor of the Navy in December 1632 and died in 1638.
Mr. Oppenheim pronounces him * perhaps the most observant
and energetic of the chief officers.'
* John Goodwin, Master Attendant at Portsmouth.
* Nathaniel Apslyn. In 1626, when Carpenter of the
Red Lion, he was recommended by Pett for the post of Assist-
ant Master Shipwright, and was appointed in that capacity
at Chatham.
1633 VISIT TO PORTSMOUTH 151
Kent, accompanied with Sir Henry Palmer, Captain
William Hawkridge, newly returned from captivity}
our clerks and servants, Saturday and Sunday
night we lay at Buckwell,^ at Captain Moyles, whose
wife was sister to the Lady Palmer, Monday we rode
to one Sir William Campion's, where we were very
kindly entertained till Wednesday morning ; thence
taking leave we rode to Lewes to dinner ; thence to
Shoreham,^ where we lodged that night; thence to
Chichester, there dined; then to Portsmouth where
we stayed four days to despatch business there ;
which done, we came thence to Gtiildford ; so to
London ; and the 26th day, being Wednesday, I came
home to Chatham.
The ^th of July, 1633, being a Friday, I began a
journey from Chatham by sea into Suffolk in the
little Henrietta pinnace commanded by Captain
Cook, one of the Master Attendants of his Majesty's
Navy, accompanied with young Mr. Henry Palmer,
Mr. Isackson, son Yardley, cousin'^ Joseph, my
sons Peter and Christopher, man Charles Bowles,
and George Parker.^ We set sail from Gillingham
in the morning, having a fair gale at south-west.
We anchored against Harwich, between two and
three of the clock, afternoon, and from thence shipped
ourselves and company in boats for Ipswich, arriv-
ing there afore 6 in the evening, and lodged at the
Angel Inn, which was then kept by my cousin Bar-
^ Hawkridge is said to have accompanied Button in the
voyage of 1612. In 16 19 he was in command of an expedi-
tion in search of the North-West Passage which proved a
failure. Subsequently he was captured with his ship and
cargo, valued at ;f20oo, by the pirates of Algiers and held to
ransom. See Christy, Voyages oj Foxe and James (Hakluyt
Soc).
^ Near Wye, on the main road from Ashford to Canterbury.
3 MS. 'Shorum.' ^ * Nephew.
* Master Carpenter of the St. Denis in 1632.
152 VISIT TO WOODBRIDGE 1633
wick. On Saturday morning we were horsed to
Woodhridge on hackneys, whither we came about 11
of the clock and were lodged at the Crown. After
dinner we went to visit Mrs. Cole and her daughters,
with whom we had large discourse about the match
of her daughter with my son Peter, and found our
propositions entertained, I having great liking to the
maid. Sunday, we and our train dined and supped
at Mrs. Coles. Monday, we invited mother and
daughters and Mr. Fleming to dine with us at
our inn, whither came to us divers of our friends
to whom we gave the best entertainment the place
could afford. In the afternoon we had private
conferences together, and concluded the match and
contracted the parties with free consent on both sides ;
we supped this night at Mrs. Coles. Tuesday
forenoon, having despatched all our business, we
took our journey by horse to Landguard Point ^
accompanied with Mistress Cole, her daughters,
and other their friends and neighbours, whom we
entertained a while on board our pinnace, and
there resolved the day of marriage ; thence we
accompanied them on shore, saw them horsed,
and so took leave. My son and some other of our
company accompanied them to Woodbridge, being
overtaken with a mighty storm of rain, thunder
and lightning all the way. All the next day prov-
ing very foul and wet weather, the wind contrary,
and my son and his company not returned (who
came not to us till almost 3, afternoon) we con-
cluded to stay till next morning in the road. My-
self and most of our company went on shore to
Harwich and there lay that night.
Thursday morning we came on board betimes
and set sail, and that tide came up as high as
Bishop Ness in our river of Medway, where we
* MS. ' Langer.' At the entrance to Harwich harbour.
1633 BROWN PAPER STUFF 153
anchored and had boats meet us from Chatham, in
whom we embarked, and were safely landed at the
new dock about seven, Friday morning, 12th July,
giving God thanks for our prosperous voyage and
safe return.
About the middle of this month, my son
Peter had order to prepare moulds for a frame of
a new ship of 500 tons, to be built by him at
Woolwich, and was assigned to have the timber of
out Stowood and Shotover in Oxfordshire.
About this time also, Sir Henry Palmer and
myself were deeply questioned about making sale
of brown paper stuff ^ which we claimed as a
perquisite to our places, and by the information of
Mr. Edisbury, our fellow officer, to Sir Jonn Coke.
The information was presented with a great deal
of malice, and his Majesty was made acquainted
withal ; but it pleased God that their malice
took no effect, the King giving us a free discharge,
only we repaid the moneys received for the
commodity to the Treasurer of the Navy for his
Majesty's use.
The 3rd day of September, my son Peter came
to Chatham accompanied with Mr. Sheldon ^ and
Mr. Francis Terringham, and the next morning
we embarked ourselves at the new dock, accom-
panied also with Mr. Bostock, cousin Joseph, and
son Christopher, and all our provisions, and came
on board the Henrietta pinnace at Gillingham,
where Captain Cooke attended us ready to set
sail ; from whence with a prosperous gale, the
wind at south-west and very fair weather, we
came to anchor before Harwich about six of the
clock. All our company went on shore to Harwich,
where we lodged that night, and the next day
1 Old cordage, used for manufacture into brown paper.
» Francis Sheldon, Clerk of the Check at Woolwich.
154 ARRESTED FOR DEBT 1633
from thence took our journey to Woodbridge,
where we were joyfully received and entertained
by Mistress Cole^ and her friends. On Sunday
following, being the 8th day of September, my
son was married to Mistress Cole's daughter in
Woodbridge Church after the sermon. On the
Thursday after, all my company took leave at
Woodbridge and came to our ship riding at
Harwich, where we lodged that night, and on
Friday morning embarked ourselves and set
sail ; having the wind fair, we got up as high as
Oakham, where we anchored and took boats to
St. Mary Creek, where we landed and walked
home on foot, giving God thanks for our prosperous
voyage and safe return.
The 8th of December, being Sunday, lying at
my lodging in Mincing Lane, London, as I was
going to church in the forenoon, I was set upon
by six sergeants,* who arrested me at the suit of
my sister Pett,^ widow to my brother Peter ; by
whom I was used uncivilly, but after they were
told by Sir Henry Palmer they would be called
to account for abusing the King's servant they
let me go ; which turned me afterward to a
great trouble and suit in law, to my great
charge.
In the month of February were launched the
Unicom at Woolwich, built by Mr. Boate,* and
the next spring following was launched the James
out of Deptford Dock, built there by my nephew,
Peter Pett; the King's Majesty being in person
* The wife of Thomas Cole, who was one of the witnesses
at the Inquiry of 1610 (supra, p. 57). Thomas Cole owned
the Manor of Woodbridge, which by 1649 came into Peter's
possession. See Copinger, Manors oj Suffolk, vol. iv. p. 328.
■ Bailiffs. » Sec Introduction.
« Edward Boate, Master Shipwright.
1634 BROWN PAPER STUFF 155
present at both places, where I attended his
Highness all the time of that business.
The 22nd day of the same month, Sir Henry
Palmer * and myself were commanded to attend
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to
answer the great information prosecuted against us
by the malice of Secretary Coke by intimation of
Mr. Edisbury, newly made Surveyor of the Navy,
for selling the old brown paper stuff as perquisites
of our places ; we were not called in till the even-
ing ; none but Mr. Fleming ^ and myself appeared.
Sir Henry Palmer purposely absenting himself.
There were present at [the] council table. Earl
Dorset,^ Sir Henry Vane,* Secretary Coke and
Secretary Windebank.^
Mr. Secretary Coke delivered his Majesty*s
pleasure, with despiteful aggravation of the fact
and the dangerous precedent^ to others. The
conclusion was that his Majesty's command was
we should be suspended our places. We were
not suffered to make any reply, but dismissed
and referred to his Majesty's further pleasure.
On the Monday after, I attended to speak to his
Majesty so soon as he was ready in his withdrawing
chamber, where his Majesty was pleased to call
me to him ; and before all the lords there present
and my professed enemy, Secretary Coke, his
Majesty used me very graciously, with large
* Comptroller of the Navy since 1632 ; son of the Comp-
troller of the Navy of the same name who died in 1611.
* Denis Fleming, Clerk of the Acts.
3 Edward Sackville, 4th Earl, one of the Commissioners
of the Admiralty appointed after the death of Buckingham.
* The elder (1589-1655), then Comptroller of the Household
and Privy Councillor.
» Sir Francis Windebank (1582-1646), joint-Secretary of
State with Sir John Coke, 1632.
« MS. 'president.'
156 MODEL FOR THE PRINCE 1634
expression and protestation of the continuance
of his future favour and continued encourage-
ments ; which though Secretary Coke Hked not,
yet he made great show of his well wishing to me
in his Majesty's presence ; but notwithstanding
all this, I repaid the moneys I had received for
my share, being 86 pounds, to the Treasurer of
the Navy for his Majesty's use, out of my yearly
entertainment.
About the middle of March, my son brought
his wife and his mother, with their family, from
Woodbridge to my house at Chatham, where
they all stayed with us till the 23rd of April
following, and then went all to Woolwich, where
my son was employed upon the building of his
Majesty's ship the Leopard.
The 22nd of June was finished a little ship,
being completely rigged and gilded, and placed
upon a carriage with wheels ^ resembling the sea ;
was enclosed in a great case of deals and shipped
for London in the Fortune Pink, and was out of
her taken into a wherry and carried through bridge
to Scotland Yard and from thence to St. James*,
where it was placed in the long gallery and pre-
sented to the Prince, who entertained it with a
great deal of joy, being purposely made for him to
disport himself withal.
The 26th of June, his Majesty came to Wool-
wich in his barge to see the frame of the Leopard,
then half built ; and being in the ship*s hold his
Highness, calling me aside, privately acquainted
me with his princely resolution for the building
of a great new ship, which he would have me to
undertake, using these words to me : — ' You have
made many requests to me, and now I will make
it my request to you to build this ship,' com-
» MS. ' whelles/
i63S MODEL OF GREAT SHIP 157
manding me to attend his coming to Wanstead 1
where he would further confer with me about it.
The 29th October, the model made for the
great new ship was carried to Hampton Court
and there placed in the Privy Gallery, where,
after his Majesty had seen and thoroughly per-
used, he commanded us to carry it back to White-
hall and place it in the Privy Gallery till his
Majesty's coming thither ; which was accordingly
performed.
In March, 1635, the nth day, his Majesty
came to Woolwich to see the launching of the new
ship built there by my son Peter, the which ship
I caused to have her masts set in the dock and to
be completely rigged and ten pieces of ordnance
placed in her, with her sails at the yard. The
ship being launched betimes, she was, by his
Majesty's command, called the Leopard by Sir
Robert Mansell. After the ship was clear out of
the dock, his Majesty came on board and there
stayed almost one hour. We hoped to sail her
whilst his Majesty had been on board, but the
wind came northerly, that we could do no good
to lead it to our moorings. At his Majesty's
parting away in his barge we gave nine pieces
of ordnance.
In the midst of April, his Majesty was graciously
pleased to renew my privy seal for my pension of
40/. per annum, payable in the Exchequer, with
order for all my arrears due upan it. The 8th
of May following, my son Peter received the same
arrears, being one hundred pounds.
The 14th of May, I took leave of his Majesty
at Greenwich, with his command to hasten my
journey into the north, to provide and prepare
the frame and timber and plank and trenails
» MS. ' Waynstead.' A royal manor.
138 VOYAGE TO 1635
for the great new ship to be built at Woolwich ;
and having despatched all warrants and letters
concerning that business and some imprests of
moneys for travelUng charges, I took leave at
Woolwich and came to Chatham, leaving my
son to see all the moulds and other necessaries
to be shipped in a Castle ship, taken up for that
purpose, to transport all our provisions and work-
men to Newcastle and to send the ships to take
us in at Queenborough.
The 2ist of May, my son with his wife, mother,
and sisters, and rest of their company, being come
to us to Chatham and in readiness, we, accom-
panied with cousin Joseph*s wife and mine own
company, we took leave at Chatham in the morn-
ing and repaired by our boats to Queenborough,
where the ship was in readiness ; where we em-
barked ourselves, intending to have set sail presently,
but the wind chopping to east and north-east, we
could not stir that tide, but rode till the morning ;
then weighed and set sail and got down as low
as the Blacktail Sand,^ where we anchored all
the flood. At high water, being about 3 [o']clock
afternoon, we weighed again and plyed down
beneath the Spits and there anchored all that
night. Saturday morning we weighed and set
sail again, and the next day by five afternoon we
came to an anchor against Harwich and landed
all our passengers bound for Woodbridge, who
got thither that night ; and the next myself and
rest of my company went for Woodbridge, where
we stayed till Tuesday afternoon and then returned
to Harwich to our ship. Wednesday forenoon,
we set sail from Harwich, and Thursday morning
we came into Yarmouth Road, where we anchored,
» On the edge of the MapHn, six miles east of Shoe-
buryness.
1635 YORKSHIRE 159
went on shore and dined, and after dinner returned
on board and set sail, plying our course till
Saturday morning. Being got within twenty
leagues of Newcastle, the wind took us short,
and we put room and were landed, not without
some danger, at Scarborough where we lay that
night, and our ship put room for Bridlington.^
Sunday morning we got horse with some
difficulty and rode to Whitby,^ where we were
kindly entertained and lodged at one Captain
Foxe's ^ house, then lying sick. There we found
much kindness at the hands of one Mr. Bagwell,
a shipwright and yardkeeper ; this was the 31st
of May. Monday morning we parted thence
and came to Guisborough, a great market town,
where we baited. From thence we went to
Stockton,* where we found but mean entertain-
ment, being lodged in the Mayor*s house, being
a poor thatched cottage.^ On Tuesday we came
to Durham, where we baited ; from thence we
came to Newcastle about five of the clock, lodging
this night at the posthouse, where we were very
homely used ; but the next day we removed thence
to Mr. Leonard Carr's house, where we were very
well accommodated and neatly lodged, in which
house we lay all the time of our abode at New-
castle ; this was the 3rd of June, 1635.
After our coming to Newcastle and that ^
lodged ourselves conveniently, we advised together
how to proceed in our business, [that] no time
might be lost ; and first viewed the places from
whence we were to make choice of our frame and
1 MS, ' Burlington.' « MS. ' Whytebye.'
» Luke Foxe, the Arctic navigator. He died at Whitby
in July. * M.S. ' Stockdone.'
« Stockton had fallen into decay during the sixteenth
century. • Sic,
i6o JOURNEY IN THE 1635
other provisions, which were Chopwell Woods*
and Brancepeth Park,^ a good way from one
another.
Then, having marked such trees as were fittest
our purpose, our workmen were disposed of to their
several charges, and began to fell, square, and
saw with all the expedition we could. That
work being settled, my son carefully followed that
business whilst I myself attended the Lord Bishop
of Durham^ with my commission and instructions,
whom I found wonderfully ready and willing to
give all furtherance to us, assisted by other
knights and gentlemen. Justices of the Peace in
the county ; who with all care and diligence took
order with the country for present carriage. God
so blessed us in our proceedings that in a short
time as much of the frame was made ready as laded
away a great collier belonging to Woodbridge,
which was safely landed at Woolwich ; and as
fast as provisions could be made ready, they were
shipped away. That from Chopwell Woods was
laded from Newcastle ; that which came from
Brancepeth, from Sunderland.
Having ordered all our business, both for
carriage, moneys, and all other needful things to
set forward the business, leaving my loving son
Peter to oversee all, I took my leave of my friends
at Newcastle the 22nd day of July, being Wednes-
day, and came to Durham where we lodged that
night at the posthouse. Next morning I waited
upon my Lord of Durham, with whom I dined,
and after dinner took leave and returned to my
lodging.
» MS. ' Chopple.' On the Derwent, six miles south-west
of Newcastle.
• MS. ' Bramespeth.' On the Wear, four miles south-west
of Durham. » MS. 'Duresme.'
1635 NORTH OF ENGLAND i6i
Friday morning, being the 24th day, I parted
from Durham accompanied with my son Christo-
pher, Charles Bowles,^ and the guide. We met,
also bound our way towards London, three
Scottish gentlemen and their attendants, who very
kindly accepted of our company, and we rode
together to Northallerton where we lodged that
night at the postmaster's. Next day we rode
to York and lodged at the postmaster's. Sunday,
we stayed at York all the day, myself being enter-
tained at dinner by Sir Arthur Ingram * and at
night by Alderman Sir William Allison.
Monday morning, 27th day, we rode to dinner
to Wentbridge, thence to Doncaster to bed.
Tuesday we rode to Tuxfard,^ where we dined ;
thence to Newark upon Trent, there lodged this
night.
Wednesday morning we rode from Newark to
Grantham * where we dined ; thence to Stamford,
where lodged this night.
Thursday, bein^ the 30th day, we rode from
Stamford to Huntingdon, and there dined and
met there my old acquaintance and noble friend.
Sir Oliver Cromwell. After dinner we took horse
again, and at Huntingdon town's-end the Scottish
gentlemen and we parted ; they took their way
for London, myself and company for Cambridge,
where I lodged at the Falcon and visited Emmanuel
College, where I had been a scholar in my youth.
I Friday, being last of July, after I had visited
Trinity College and some others, I rode from
Cambridge to Bury in Suffolk, where we only
baited, and rode that night to Stowmarket,
> ji Pett's clerk.
* Comptroller of Customs for Port of London ; one time
Secretary of the Council of the North.
» MS. ' Tuckesford.' * MS. ' Grantum.'
i62 JOURNEY HOME TO CHATHAM 1635
coming thither very wet, having rained very hard
all that afternoon ; there we lay that night.
From thence rode next morning to Ipswich, drank
only at the Greyhound Inn, and thence came to
Woodbridge, ahghting at sister Cole's about eleven
of the clock, being the first of August.
I stayed at Woodbridge till Tuesday, the 4th
of August ; thence taking leave, I rode to Witham
to bed ; from thence next morning taking horse
I came to Gravesend ferry ; there passing over
my horses I stayed their coming, and then taking
horse again I came home to my house about
4 clock afternoon, in safety and health, giving
God thanks for our safe meeting after eleven weeks
absence from thence.
The 4th November, being Tuesday, it pleased
God to send my son Peter safely to Woolwich,
where we met together to our great comfort ;
and so gave order for proceeding in our business.
The 2ist day of December, the keel of the great
new ship was laid in his place upon the blocks
in the dock ; most part of the frame and other
I)rovisions came safely to Woolwich and were
anded in the Yard.
The i6th day of January, his Majesty, accom-
panied with divers of the lords, came to Woolwich
to see part of the frame and floor of the ship laid.
At that time his Majesty gave order to myself
and son to build two small pinnaces out of the
wastes of the great ship.
The 28th day of March, his Majesty came
again to Woolwich, accompanied with the Pals-
grave,^ his brother Duke Robert,^ and divers
other lords, who all stood in the windows of my
* Charles Lewis, the second son of Frederick and EUzabeth,
born in 161 7. Frederick had died in 1632.
« Prince Rupert.
X637 ROYAL VISIT TO WOOLWICH 163
lodgings to see the two pinnaces launched, which
was performed to their great content, and named
the Gre3^hound and Roebuck.
About ^ the loth of April, his Majesty's ship
called by the name of the Anne Royal, bound
for to be Admiral of the narrow seas, and anchor-
ing in Tilbury Hope, being unmoored,^ the ship
winding up ' upon the flood, came foul of her
own anchor, which pulled out a great part of
her keel abaft the mast ; and so, in sinking, over-
threw so suddenly that some of the company
were drowned, amongst whom was the master's
wife and one other woman. Myself, am^ongst
others, was commanded by his Majesty to give
my assistance for weighing of her, which cost
much trouble, great charge and no small danger
to them that travelled * about it ; which was after-
wards objected to them as a great fault, and were
rewarded with a bitter check from the Lords.
The ship was weighed, and carried to Blackwall,
and put into the East India Dock about the loth
of August.
The 3rd of February, his Majesty came 'to
Woolwich by water, accompanied with the Prince
Elector 5 and divers other lords, where he
thoroughly viewed all the works of the ship
without ; and then went on board and seriously
perused all the ship within board, both aloft and
in the hold, being very well satisfied in all points ;
and then retired himself into my lodgings, where
* It was the 9th.
* I.e. not moored, having only one anchor down.
' Swinging round with the tide.
* Obsolete form of * travailed ' ; laboured.
^ Charles Lewis, whom, on p. 162, he called the Palsgrave.
The title of Elector was, however, not formally accorded to
him until the Peace of Westphalia, in 1648, when the Lower
Palatinate was restored.
i64 DEATH OF WIFE, SUSAN 1637
he stayed till flood, and then took his barge and
returned to Whitehall.
Tuesday, the 25th of April, my daughter
Martha was married unto John Hodierne, some-
times my servant.^ She was married at Chatham
Church, accompanied with the best sort of our
neighbours, who were entertained in the garden
under a long tent, set up for that purpose, where
they ate, dined, and supped.
On the 2ist day [of] July, being Friday, I
brought my wife from Woolwich to Chatham
in a coach, having been very ill some weeks
before. We brought her safe to my house, and
the next day she was to our thinking very cheerful,
and was visited by divers our good neighbours,
but on Sunday she grew very ill, and continued
worse and worse all that night. About 3 clock,
Monday morning, she fell into a sweet sleep and
so like [a] lamb quietly departed this life, and
the Wednesday afternoon following was buried
in Chatham Church, accompanied with the better
sort of all the neighbours about us ; Mr. Vaughan,
our Minister, preached at her funeral.
Tuesday, being the 29th August, proved a
very wet, rainy day, but the shipwrights of the
river, which were warned to help to strike the
ship upon the ways, being come together, we
set on the business, and by God's blessing the
ship was struck by eleven of the clock without
harm to any man, which we accounted a great
mercy of God.
Monday, the 25th of September, was the day
» Apprentice. In 1633 he was recommended by Pett for
the post of Master Carpenter of the Charles on the ground
that he had wrought upon the same throughout her being
built, and was also * a pretty mariner.' S. P. Dom. Chas. /.,
ccxxxi. 45.
1637 LAUNCH OF THE SOVEREIGN 165
peremptorily appointed by his Majesty for launch-
ing the great ship ; and accordingly all things
were prepared in readiness for performance
thereof. His Majesty, accompanied with the
Queen and all the train of lords and ladies,
their attendants, came to Woolwich, for the most
part by water, landing at the dock stairs about
12 of the clock, and went directly on board the
ship, where they stayed about one hour, and
thence retired into our rooms, prepared and
furnished for their entertainment. About 2 of
the clock the tackles were set taut and the
ship started as they heaved, till the tackles failed
and the water pinched,^ being a very poor tide,
so that we gave over to strain the tackles and
began to shore the ship. Then his Majesty with
the Queen took their barge and returned to White-
hall, being very sorry the ship could not be
launched. We attempted two or three tides
afterward to no purpose ; it was then con-
cluded to let the ship sit till the next spring,^
sitting so easily and safely that she could take
no hurt.
After, it was resolved the ship should lie till
the spring after, which was about the 12th or
13th October following. In the interim many
malicious reports were raised to disable the ship,
and to bring as much disgrace upon me as malice
itself could possibly invent ; all proceeding from
the Masters of the Trinity House and other rough-
hewn seamen, with whom William Cooke, one of
the four Masters of his Majesty's Navy, enviously
adhering to pleasure Secretary Coke, and Mr.
Edisbury, then newly made Surveyor of his
Majesty's Navy, all professed enemies to the
building of the ship, and more to myself, joined
* Became too shallow. ■ Spring tide.
i66 LAUNCH OF THE 1637
together to cast what aspersions upon both as far
as they durst (for fear of the King's displeasure) ;
but the time of the spring drawing on, there was
a meeting called by Sir Robert Mansell's means
at Woolwich of such Trinity House Masters as
were formerly employed on the business, with
the Officers of the Navy, to resolve of the certain
day and time of launching, which was generally
concluded to be on Sunday following, being the
14th October, and that I should not attempt
to stir the ship before ; but on the Saturday
night tide, the wind chopping up for westerly,
and a fair night in hand promising a great tide
to follow, I caused the two Masters of the Navy
there attending to be ready, commanding all we
could on the sudden get together to attend us,
contrary to the mind of Mr. Cooke, who was very
unwilhng to meddle with the ship in the night,
though Mr. Austen,^ the more resolute man, was
very willing to take the benefit of the first oppor-
tunity to launch. The tide came in so fast that
the ship was on float by three-quarters flood, which
I perceiving thought it fit to command the ship
to be heaved oif, the night being fair and calm ;
which accordingly was presently performed, and
the ship brought into the channel and from thence
by several warps conveyed safely to her moorings
by high water ; keeping lights with reed ^ all
alongst the shore till the mooring cables were
taken in and made fast to the bitts ; which
success with much thankfulness we acknowledged
an especial mercy of God towards us. This done,
I presently dispatched a messenger to Sir Robert
Mansell at Greenwich, who came with all speed
on board us, and according to his Majesty's
* MS. ' Austyne ' \ Thomas Austen.
■ Burning reeds.
1638 SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS 167
commandment gave the name to the ship and
named her the Sovereign of the Seas. The next
morning the company of the Trinity House
Masters and others appointed to attend the
launching, came according to the appointment to
give their attendance, but finding the ship already
launched, and at her moorings in the midst of
the river, they seemed to be much discontented
that they were so disappointed and prevented,
which they expressed as far as they durst.
This morning Sir Robert Mansell rode away
post to the King, lying then at Hampton Court,
and acquainted his Majesty with our proceedings,
who was wonderfully pleased with it.
The week following we reared the sheers to
set the masts, which was performed with much
safety and expedition, and all the masts set
within fourteen days ; and so soon as the rigging
could be in some reasonable complete manner
fitted, and sails brought to the yards, the ship
was removed from Woolwich to Erith, by reason
there was a greater depth of water to ride in.
His Majesty had been on board of her before she
went thence.
The I2th of May, 1638, the Sovereign set
sail from Erith to Greenhithe,^ where she anchored
to take in her ordnance and provisions. The
6th of June after, his Majesty, accompanied with
the Queen, Duchess of Chevreuse,^ Duke and
Duchess of Lennox,^ with divers other lords and
ladies more, came on board the ship at Green-
hithe, where they dined to their great content.
1 MS. ' Grenhyve.'
« MS. ' Shevarees.' Marie de Rohan ; exiled from France
in 1626.
* James Stuart, 4th Duke ; created Duke of Richmond,
1641.
i68 ROYAL VISIT 1638
At their going from the ship, we gave them 17
pieces of ordnance.
The loth of February before, I received par-
ticular warrants from his Majesty at council table,
being himself there present, for bringing the
ship from Chatham to Woolwich dock ; which
was by my care speedily performed, and the
ship safely dry docked, the 21st day of March
following.
About the 12th of July, the Sovereign weighed
from Greenhithe and anchored a little beneath
Gravesend, where she rode till the King's Majesty
came on board her, which was upon the 21st day
of July, being Saturday, coming down in his
barge, and rowed some part of the way against
the tide. In the time of his being on board, his
Majesty observed the condition of the ship as
she now rode ready to sail, vidt. the draught of
water, the distance of the ports of the lower tier
from the water, number of the ordnance, and
all other circumstances to her complete furnish-
ing ; wherewith he was so well satisfied and
pleased that he parted from her with as much
expression of content and satisfaction as we could
expect from him, to the general comfort of us
all.
Before his Majesty took barge I had placed
my then wife, Bylande,^ daughter Ann,^and many
other gentlewomen, my special friends, in the
great cabin to kiss his Majesty's hand, and pre-
vailed with his Majesty to walk aft into the cabin,
where his Highness most graciously gave each
> Married on 7th January. On p. 1 71 his wife's father's
name is given as ' Etherington ' ; her Christian name was
Mildred. The use of two forenames was practically unknown
at this period j evidently she had been married before.
■ Wife of Christopher Pett.
1638 VOYAGE IN THE SOVEREIGN 169
of them his hand to kiss. His Majesty then took
his barge, and at his going from the ship we gave
him 72 pieces of great ordnance. I then with
my wife and friends went on shore and took the
coach and came directly home.
Thursday, 2nd of August, I took leave of my
wife and friends at Chatham after supper ; so
rode to Gravesend, thence on board the Sovereign
and lay on board in mine cabin, being the first
night I lodged in her.
Friday, my son Peter came on board from
Woolwich ; then about 10 of the clock we weighed
from Gravesend, and stood down beneath Hole
Haven, and there anchored that night, being
little wind.
Saturday morning, 4th August, we weighed
from Hole Haven and stood down beneath the
buoy of the Gunfleet, where we anchored all
that night.
Sunday we came to an anchor right before
Margate town, where we rode till Thursday morn-
ing following, then weighed and set sail with the
wind at west ; but coming about the Foreland
we met the wind so far southerly as put us to go
without the sand, and blew so much wind as we
could bear our topsails but half mast high, so
that we could not possibly weather the South
Sand Head ; ^ the tides running also dead, we
were forced to anchor in 32 fathom and there rode
that night, which proved reasonable fair.
Friday morning, the 20th August, we weighed ;
having the benefit of a whole tide of ebb, we
weathered the South Sand Head and stood in
right thwart of Dover ; but neither the town nor
Castle took notice of us. So we put room into
the Downs and anchored as near Sir John Penning-
» The south end of the Goodwin Sands.
170 VOYAGE IN THE SOVEREIGN 1638
ton, then riding Admiral, as we conveniently
could do, being about 8 of the clock in the morn-
ing ; we were saluted by the Admiral and all the
ships in the road, whom we answered again, giving
the Admiral 21 pieces. This done we went on
board the Admiral, Sir John Pennington, to
whom we were continual guests while we stayed
in the Downs. -
Wednesday morning, being the 15th of August,
we set sail out of the Downs, the wind at south
and sometimes south-west. We turned to [and]
fro with very foul weather till we came as high
[as] thwart of Shoreham, or thereabouts (the
Garland attending us, who was not able to keep
way with us) ; which course we held till Saturday
the i8th day [of] August ; then finding in that time
we had sufficient trial of the condition and work-
ing of the ship in all respects, and having but a
small proportion of victuals to stay out longer,
we resolved to bear up again for the Downs ;
which accordingly was done, and about 3 clock,
afternoon, we anchored close to the Admiral,
Sir John Pennington entertaining us on board his
ship all the time we rode by him.
Tuesday morning, the 21st of August, I took
leave of the Sovereign and the Admiral, and went
on shore at Deal, where I found my man attending
ready with my horses, being the night ^ before
come thither, where I presently took horse and
rode directly to Canterbury, having visited Sir
Henry Palmer by the way. I baited some hour
or more at Canterbury, and took horse again and
came home to my house [at] New Dock * a little
after four in the afternoon ; giving God hearty
« This word is lost, the margin being torn away ; these six
words are not in the Harleian copy.
* Chatham.
1638 DEATH OF WIFE, MILDRED 171
thanks for my safe return, finding my wife,
family and friends in a reasonable health.
The 28th of August, the Sovereign came safe
to her moorings at St. Mary Creek, being Tuesday.
The 8th of September my dear wife sickened,
taken with a violent fever, being then great with
child.
The 19th of September, being Wednesday, be-
tween 8 and 9 clock in the morning, she departed
this life in a most Christian manner, surrendering
up her spirit into His hands that gave it her ;
the next day after, being Thursday, she was
buried in a seemly manner in Chatham Church,
close by the side of my first wife, leaving me a
sorrowful and disconsolate husband.
Within few days after, deceased also my wife's
one ^ sister and next neighbour, wife to Mr. John
Short, Clerk of the Check to his Majesty's Navy.^
They sickened together, she also being with
child, and knew not of one and tother's death.
Soon after died Mr. Etherington, their own father,
at Mr. Short's house, who came thither purposely
to visit them.
After I had a little passed over this great and
sudden affliction, I prepared myself to go for
London ; and having set all things in order, on
Thursday morning, the 27th of September, 1638,
I took leave of my family at Chatham and rode
to Gravesend, thence took boat to Woolwich where
I stayed one night, and next day, accompanied
with my son Peter, we went by water to Kingston,
where we took up our lodging in a private house,
the inns being full. The next day, being Sunday,
we went by water to Hampton Court, where we
presented ourselves to his Majesty, who was
pleased to use us very graciously, where we spent
* Perhaps intended for * own.' « At Chatham.
172 VISIT TO LORD ADMIRAL 1638
that whole day, at night returning by water to
our lodging at Kingston.
Next morning, my son and myself rode to
Sion,^ to wait upon the Lord Admiral, and was
presently commanded by him to hasten to Chat-
ham to prepare barges and boats to be sent to
Dover for the receiving on shore the Queen
Mother,^ expected to arrive and land there
{Here the manuscript ends.)
* Sion House at Brentford, the seat of the Duke of
Northumberland, who had been appointed on 13th April to
act for the young Duke of York, declared Lord High Admiral
for life at the Council on i8th March.
* I.e. of France. Marie de Medicis, widow of Henri IV.
and mother of Queen Henrietta Maria ; she landed at Harwich
on i8th October.
APPENDICES
I
Grant to Phineas Pett. 26th April 1604
(In Latin)
[Pat. Roll 1646]
The King ^ to all to whom etc. greeting. Whereas
our dearest Sister Elizabeth late deceased Queen of Eng-
land by her letters patent under the great seal of England
bearing date at Westminster the twenty-third day of
January in the twenty-sixth year 2 of her reign gave and
granted for herself her heirs and successors unto Mathew
Baker and John Addey Shipwrights and to the longer
liver of either of them among other ^ things a certain
annuity or annual rent of twelve pence sterling a day :
to have and to receive yearly the said annuity or annual
rent of twelve pence sterling a day to the aforesaid
Matthew Baker and John Addey and their assigns and
to the longer liver of either of them from the Feast of the
Nativity of the Lord then last past before the date of the
same letters patent during the natural life of the same
Mathew Baker and John Addey and the longer liver of
either of them from her Treasury and that of her heirs
and successors at the Receipt of the Exchequer at
Westminster of herself her heirs and successors at the
1 In the enrolment this is given simply as * Rex ' ; in the
original the commencement would be * Jacobus Dei Gratia/
etc.
2 23 Jan. 1584
8 I.e, the office of Master Shipwright with its emoluments.
174 APPENDIX I X604
hands of the Treasurer and Chamberlain of her her heirs
and successors there for the time in being at the four terms
of the year namely at the Feast of the Annunciation of
the B.V. Mary of St. John the Baptist of St. Michael the
Archangel and of the Nativity of the Lord in equal
portions. And whereas also our same dearest Sister
Elizabeth by other letters patent under the great seal of
England bearing date at Westminster the twenty-ninth
day of July in the thirty-second year of her reign ^ gave
and granted for herself her heirs and successors to Joseph
Pett Shipwright another annuity or annual fee of twelve
pence a day of lawful money of England ; to have hold
and receive unto the same Joseph Pett and his assigns dur-
ing the natural life of the same Joseph Pett from the Trea-
sury of her her heirs and successors at the Receipt of the
Exchequer at Westminster by the hands of the Treasurer
and Chamberlain there and from time to time existing,
as by the several said letters patent more plainly doth
appear. Which said Mathew Baker and John Addey
and Joseph Pett to this day remain alive and to this
present have and enjoy the said several annuities by
virtue of the several letters patent aforesaid. Know
ye that we of our special grace and sure knowledge
and mere motion also in consideration of the good true
and faithful service to us done and hereafter to be done
by our beloved and faithful subject Phineas Pett now
serving our dearest son Henry Prince of Wales both in
the building of the ships of us our heirs and successors
and in his attendance on our marine affairs and causes
have given and granted and by these presents for ourself
our heirs and successors do give and grant to the same
Phineas Pett that annuity or annual fee of twelve pence
sterhng a day of good and lawful money of England out
of the two above named annuities whichever first after
the date of these presents by death resignation surrender
or composition of any one of the aforesaid Mathew
Baker and John Addey and Joseph Pett or in any other
manner shall have become vacant or determined or shall
hereafter become vacant or cease. To have hold enjoy
» 29 July 1590.
1604 APPENDIX II 175
and receive the said annuity or annual fee of twelve pence
a day as is in manner aforesaid vacated or determined or
shall hereafter determine to the aforesaid Phineas Pett or
his assigns for the term of the natural life of the same
Phineas immediately from the time at which either of those
annuities shall first become vacant or determine as afore-
said from the Treasury of us our heirs and successors
at the Receipt of our Exchequer at Westminster by the
hands of the Treasurers and Chamberlains of us our heirs
and successors there from time to time in being at the
four terms of the year namely at the Feast of St. Michael
the Archangel the Nativity of the Lord the Annunciation
of the B.V. Mary and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
in equal portions to the aforesaid Phineas Pett or his
assigns during the natural life of the same Phineas Pett
annually to be paid the first payment thereupon com-
mencing at that feast of the aforesaid feasts which first
and nearest shall fall after one of the two separate afore-
said annuities of twelve pence a day shall become vacant
or determined in the mode and fashion above specified.
Although express mention etc. In witness etc. Witness
the King ^ at Westminster the 26th day of April.
By writ of Privy Seal.
II
Petition of Shipwrights for Incorporation (?)i578
(No signatures or date)
[S.P. Dom., Eliz., ccxxvii. 63]
To the right honourable the Lords of her Majesty's
most honourable Privy Council.
In most humble and reverent wise do complain
unto your honours as well the M*^. Shipwrights of her
Majesty's Ships, as also all other of the same art, that
take charge over any of that faculty, be it in ships,
* In the original this would be * meipso ' ; myself.
176 APPENDIX III 1605
boats, barges, or any such like vessels, both appertaining
to her Majesty or her Highness* subjects, specially within
the liberty of the Thames and other places near adjoining
to the same. In the which place, as all kind of vessels
are greatly increased, so are the artificers hkewise aug-
mented, only in number, but less in skill, whereby such
as do use them are not only deceived but also the work
greatly endangered. Besides their manners are mutinous
even in her Majesty's service, and their exactions intoler-
able amongst her Majesty's subjects. These and many
other enormities, which daily increase to the great grief
of many her Majesty's good and honest subjects, may
bring the art to a ruinous state.
In tender consideration of the premises we humbly
pray your Honours to be a mean unto her Highness that a
Corporation may be granted in such reasonable form as
her Majesty's learned Council shall allow of, and be
thought meet for us ; whereby her Majesty in her own
Navy shall be more safely and dutifully served, the
whole State through the Realm better furnished, and
we daily bound to pray to Almighty God both for her
Majesty and your Honours' most happy and prosperous
estate.
Ill
Charter to Shipwrights, 22nd April 1605.
[Pat. Roll. 1684]
[Parts in italics abbreviated to save space"]
James &c. To all to whom these presents shall come
greeting. Whereas we are credibly informed as well by
our right trusty and well-beloved cousin and councillor
Charles Earl of Nottingham, High Admiral of England
and Captain General of our Navy Royal as also by our
principal officers of our said Navy how slenderly and
deceitfully as well our own ships and barges as also other
ships boats pinnaces and like vessels of our merchants
and other our subjects used in continual service and traffic
are made land wrought to the great loss danger and
i6o5 APPENDIX III 177
prejudice of us and our said subjects and also of the great
and wasteful charge and expense which we do from time
to time bear and sustain in building and repairing our
own ships and pinnaces which are and have been the
chiefest and greatest defence of this our Realm from the
assaults of such enemies as have practised the over-
throw of the same. We weighing the manifold dangers
losses and hindrances which may and are likely more and
more to ensue thereof if speedy remedy be not therefore
had and provided, and to the end that the fittest and ablest
shipwrights and workmen may from time to time as
cause shall require be made known unto our principal
officers of our Navy and to be employed for wages for
the building repairing and making of our own ships and
pinnaces as also may have the oversight of all such other
workmen as shall from time to time be employed or shall
intermeddle in building of other ships pinnaces or vessels
for other our merchants and subjects for the further
more better and continual service of us our Realm and
sub j ects. Know ye therefore that we intending to provide
for the better strengthening of this our Realm with
shipping for the defence and service thereof and to the
intent that as well our self as also our merchants and
other our subjects may from time to time hereafter be
furnished stored and supplied with skilful shipwrights
and workmen of that kind to work upon our Navy
and other ships and vessels for the better suppressing of
deceits and other abuses which may hereafter be prac-
tised by divers persons which shall take upon them
without sufficient skill and knowledge to make or repair
ships pinnaces and other vessels to the great danger
and hindrance as well of our self as of divers other our
loving subjects, of our special grace certain knowledge
and mere motion have given granted constituted and
ordained and by these presents for us our heirs and suc-
cessors do grant constitute and ordain that all and every
person and persons being shipwrights or carpenters using
the Art or Mystery of building and making of ships within
this our Realm of England and Dominion of Wales shall
be from henceforth forever one body corporate and
body politic in matter deed and name by the name of
178 APPENDIX III 1605
Master, Wardens and Commonalty of the Art or Mystery
of Shipwrights of England. . . . [To be] one Master
and four Wardens and twelve Assistants ... do
assign name ordain and constitute our well-beloved sub-
ject Mathew Baker our servant and ancientest Master
Shipwright to be the first Master . . . Joseph Pett
and William Bright two other of our Master Shipwrights,
Edward Stephens of Limehouse and Nicholas Symonson
of Ratcliffe in the county of Middlesex Shipwrights to
be the first four Wardens. . . . John Adye of Deptford
in our county of Kent, Phineas Pett of Chatham in our
county of Kent, John Apslyn of our said town and
county, Peter Pett of Wapping in our county of Middlesex,
Nicholas Cley of Redriff in our county of Surrey, Thomas
Cole of Woodbridge in our county of Suffolk, Robert Wil-
kinson of Ipswich in our county of Suffolk, James Russell
of Southwark in our said county of Surrey, John Head
of our City of Bristol, Esau Whitehead of our town of
Southampton in our county of Southampton, Thomas
Dymocke of Horsey Downe ^ in our said county of Surrey
and Thomas Pryme of Yarmouth in our county of
Norfolk, Shipwrights, to be the first and present twelve
Assistants. . . .
[Power to hold and dispose of real property ; to plead
and defend in any Court; to have a common seal.]
[To meet in a] convenient house or hall for their use
to be by them provided within the City of London or
Suburbs ^ of the same or within five miles of the said
City . . . Nicholas Rabye Gent, to be the first and
present Clerk. . . .
[Power to meet in their hall and] to entreat consult
determine constitute ordain and make any Constitutions
Statutes Laws Ordinances Articles and Orders whatsoever
. . . touching or concerning the good estate rule order
and good government of the said Master Wardens and
Commonalty . . . and in what Order and manner the
said Master Wardens and Commonalty . . . and all other
person and persons using the said art or mystery within
^ Horsleydown, below the Tower, on the opposite shore.
• MS. ' Subberbes.'
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 179
this Realm of England or Dominion of Wales shall
demean and behave themselves [with power to punish
offenders. . . . Power to] view search and survey all and
every the Works and Workmanship of all and every
person or persons whatsoever making working or building
or which hereafter shall make work or build any manner
of ships, pinnaces or other vessels and all manner of
timber and wood appointed provided and fitted for the
building of ships . . . [Ships found to be] falsely
and deceitfully and untruly made wrought and builded
[timber, wood, &c. to be put in safe custody and complaint
made to Justices of Peace. . . . [Power to] buy and pro-
vide in any the places beyond the seas all such timber
planks masts deals spars and wood and also all pitch,
tar, rosin and oil as they shall think necessary and con-
venient for the building or repairing of ships pinnaces
or other vessels [and bring same to England or Wales on
payment of custom and other duties. Since the Master
Wardens and Commonalty] are to be as occasion shall be
offered employed and attendant upon the Navigation of
Us [etc., the said Master Wardens and Commonalty shall
not] be enforced put placed or impannelled in or upon any
Assises Juries Inquests or Attaints whatsoever [nor] be
pressed or enforced to serve ... as land soldiers. . . .
[Power to elect Beadles to gather fines penalties &c. and
distrain. Power to hold land, tithes &c^
Witness ourself at Westminster the two and twentieth
day of April.
By writ of Privy Seal.
IV
Charter to Shipwrights, 6th May 1612
[Pat. Roll 1951]
[The first nineteen lines as in the Charter of 1605.]
. . . if speedy remedy be not therefore had and provided,
and intending to provide for the strengthening of these
our Kingdoms and Dominions with sufficient shipping
i8o APPENDIX IV 1612
for defence and service thereof, and to the intent that
as well ourself might from time to time be furnished
stored and supplied with the fittest and ablest ship-
wrights and workmen for the building making and
repairing of our own ships pinnaces and other vessels
as also that our merchants and other our subjects might
also in their works and buildings from time to time be
stored and supplied with skilful and sufficient ship-
wrights and workmen, and for the better suppressing
of deceits and abuses of divers persons which should
take upon them without sufficient skill and knowledge
to make or repair any ships boats pinnaces or other
vessels, to the great danger and hindrance as well of
ourself as of divers other our loving subjects. We did
by our letters patent under the great seal of England
bearing date the two and twentieth day of April in the
years of our reign of England France and Ireland the
third and of Scotland the eight and thirtieth incorporate
the Company of Shipwrights and the persons being
shipwrights or carpenters using the art or mystery of
buUding and making of ships within our realm of England
and Dominion of Wales by the name of Master Wardens
and Commonalty of the art or mystery of Shipwrights
of England, and did grant unto them by our said charter
or letters patent divers privileges liberties and im-
munities mentioned and contained in the said letters
patent tending to the reformation of the said abuses and
deceits. And whereas divers defects and imperfections
have been since by experience found to be in the said
charter as well in the extent thereof to what persons
it should extend as also in the want of sufficient authority
and means to govern and order the said corporation
and the men and members thereof and the affairs of
the same and the shipwrights workmen apprentices
and servants using the said art and for want of power
and means to reform prevent order and correct many
contempts misdemeanours deceits and offences in the
said art or mystery and the matters and things thereunto
appertaining and to punish stubborn obstinate and
disobedient persons of that profession, whereby great
and manifold errors deceits and inconveniences are still
x6i2 APPENDIX IV i8i
practised and continued to the great hindrance of the
navigation of this Kingdom the often loss and hazard
of men's lives and goods and the special prejudice of
our own service and the Commonwealth, know ye that
we for reformation amendment and supply of the defects
and imperfections aforesaid and for redress of the said
great and manifold errors enormities deceits and in-
conveniences, at the humble petition of the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty, and for the great desire
we have that good and convenient laws orders and
ordinances should be established and used in and about
the said Corporation and Company and the said art
and mystery, and for the advancement of the good
estate of the shipping and navigation of this Kingdom
to the good service both of ourself and the Common-
wealth, have of our especial grace certain knowledge
and mere motion granted constituted and ordained,
and by these presents for us our heirs and successors
do grant constitute and ordain, that all and every person
and persons being shipwrights caulkers or ship-carpenters
or in any sort using exercising practising or professing
the art trade skill or mystery of building making trimming
dressing graving launching winding drawing stocking or
repairing of ships carvels hoys pinnaces crayers ketches
lighters boats barges wherries or any other vessel or
vessels whatsoever used for navigation fishing or trans-
portation within or about our realm of England and
Dominion of Wales or of making trimming or repairing
of masts tops pullies pumps for ships oars or any other
instruments or appurtenances of wood thereunto belong-
ing or any other carpentry work whatsoever belonging
to or used occupied or employed in or about any ships
pinnaces or other vessel or vessels above mentioned
or in any sort appertaining to shipping sailing rowing
stocking launching or navigation shall from henceforth
for ever be and shall be taken and accompted to be one
body corporate and politic in matter deed and name
by the name of Master Wardens and Commonalty of the
art or mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith in the County
of Surrey and them by the name of Master Wardens
and Commonalty of the art or mystery of Shipwrights
i82 APPENDIX IV 1612
of Redrith in the County of Surrey We do for us our
heirs and successors really fully and wholly erect make
ordain create incorporate constitute and declare by
these presents one body corporate and politic in matter
deed and name. And ... the said Master Wardens
and Commonalty of the said art or mystery of Ship-
wrights of Redrith aforesaid shall from henceforth have
perpetual succession, and . . . shall be at all times here-
after a body corporate and politic able and capable in
deed and in law to have hold occupy possess enjoy and
retain all and singular usages customs liberties privileges
immunities jurisdictions franchises pre-eminences benefits
profits and commodities whatsoever to them heretofore
granted or belonging or hereafter to be granted or to be
belonging or incident requisite or fit to or for them or
for such a corporation to have and enjoy of what kind
nature or quality soever they shall be to them and their
successors for ever.
[Power to hold and dispose of lands and other properties ;
to sue and he sued ; to have a common seal.]
And further we will and for us our heirs and successors
we do grant by these presents, that from henceforth
for ever there be and shall be one Master three Wardens
and sixteen Assistants of the said corporation art or
mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith aforesaid to be con-
stituted and chosen in such manner and form as hereafter
in these presents is expressed and specified. And for
the better execution of the premises and also for the
good rule and government of the Master Wardens and
Commonalty of the art or mystery of Shipwrights afore-
said from time to time forever we have assigned named
ordained and constituted . . . our well-beloved subject
Phineas Pett our servant and ancient Master ShipwTight
to be the first Master of the said art or mystery of Ship-
wrights, willing that the said Phineas Pett be and shall
continue Master of the said art or mystery from the day
of the date of these presents until the morrow after the
Feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle now next
ensuing and then and from thenceforth until some other
}ncr{ and sufficient man of the said art or mystery of
Shipwrights aforesaid be elected and sworn to execute
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 183
the said office of Master of the said art or mystery of
Shipwrights of Redrith aforesaid according to the ordin-
ances and provisions in these presents expressed and
limited, if the said Phineas Pett shall so long live, unless
the said Phineas Pett shall happen in the mean time for
some misgovernment or other just cause to be removed,
whom for such just cause we will and ordain to be re-
movable according to the form herein expressed. And
also we have assigned ordained named and constituted
. . . our well-beloved subjects William Burrell Nicholas
Simonson and Thomas Dymock three other shipwrights
to be the first three Wardens of the art or mystery of
Shipwrights aforesaid. . . . And moreover for the better
assistance and counsel of the said Master and Wardens
in and about the execution of their several offices, we
have assigned named ordained and constituted . . .
our well-beloved subjects Mat hew Baker William Bright
Edward Stephens Nicholas Clay John Apslyn Peter
Pett Thomas Jenkins John Graves Robert Bourne
James Marsh William Hedger Thomas Wells William
Picks John May Edmond Jordon and Richard Watford
to be the first and present sixteen Assistants of the
said art or mystery, willing that they the said [names
as before] and all other assistants of the said art or mystery
for the time being shall be and continue Assistants of
the said art or mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith afore-
said for and during theii' natural lives and shall from
time to time be aiding counselling and assisting unto the
said Master and Wardens for the better government
rule and direction of the said Master Wardens and
Commonalty of the said art or mystery and every member
thereof, unless they or any of them shall be removed
from the said place of assistant or assistants for some
misdemeanour or other just cause, whom for such just
cause we likewise will and ordain to be removable accord-
ing to the form herein also expressed. And for the better
establishment of this our good intention and purpose
and for the perpetual and constant continuance direction
rule and government of the whole body of the said
art or mystery and every member thereof we will and
ordain that on the morrow next after the said Feast
i84 APPENDIX IV 1612
of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle yearly hereafter the
Master Wardens and Assistants of the said art or mystery
of Shipwrights aforesaid for the time being or the greater
part of them for that intent and purpose to be assembled
at or in their common house or hall shall elect choose
and nominate one person who hath formerly been Warden
of the said art or mystery to be Master of the said art
or mystery for the next year then following, and shall
at the same time and place elect choose and nominate
out of the said Assistants three that shall likewise be
Wardens of the said art or mystery, which said Master
and Wardens so as aforesaid nominated elected and
chosen shall be and continue Master and Wardens of the
said art or mystery unto the end and term of one whole
year then next ensuing and further until some other
Master and Wardens shall be respectively elected and
preferred and chosen thereunto, they and every of them
first taking a corporal oath upon the Holy Evangelist
before the Master and Wardens being their last pre-
decessors or any two of them or before the assistants
of the said corporation art or mystery or the greatest
part of them for the due execution of their several offices
respectively, and also the oath commonly called the
Oath of Supremacy, which oaths we do by these presents
give power and authority to the said Master and Wardens
for the time being or any two of them or to the said
Assistants or the greater part of them to minister and
take of the said person or persons so elected accordingly,
and then every such Master Warden and Wardens so
removed shall then instantly be chosen and elected
to be Assistant or Assistants and so to remain Assistant
or Assistants in the room and place of him or them that
shall be so chosen out of the said Assistants to be Master
Warden or Wardens, first taking his or their corporal
oath or oaths. . . .
[Power to majorities to remove Master, Wardens, or
Assistants for misdemeanour and elect others in vacancies
caused by removal or death.]
[Fine not exceeding lol. for refusing or neglecting the
office of Master or Warden, or not exceeding 20 nobles in
case of the office of Assistants.]
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 185
And . . . there shall or may be from henceforth
for ever in all and every convenient and needful place
and places of our kingdom of England and dominion
of Wales one or more honest sufficient and skilful person
or persons of the said art or mystery which shall be
and shall be called the deputy or deputies of the Master
Wardens and Assistants of the said Corporation art or
mystery, to be from time to time hereafter elected
nominated and appointed by the said Master Wardens
and Assistants or four of them, whereof the Master and
one of the Wardens of the said corporation art or mystery
for the time being to be always two, and to continue
in the place or places of deputy or deputies of the Master
Wardens and Assistants of the said corporation art or
mystery for the time being from the time of their said
election for the space of one whole year next ensuing
or until he be for some just cause removed and some
other of the said corporation art or mystery be elected
nominated and sworn to the said office or place of
deputy or deputies according to the true intent and
meaning of these presents. . . . And we will ordain
and command that every person that shall be from
henceforth named and chosen to be deputy or deputies
to the said Master Wardens and Assistants during the
time that he or they or any of them shall continue in his
or their office or offices place or places of deputyship do
and shall from time to time employ the uttermost of his
and their endeavours abilities and skill in the due execu-
tion of this our charter and letters patent and of every
branch article and thing therein contained and of all
good and wholesome laws orders and ordinances which
at any time hereafter shall be made and constituted
by the said Master Wardens and Assistants in every
respect according to the true intent and meaning of the
same and of these presents, and in all other causes matters
and things concerning the good and welfare of the said
art and mystery, and that they the said deputies for the
time being and every of them shall be from time to time
accomptable to the said Master Wardens and Commonalty
and their successors for all sums of money profits and
commodities by them or any of them to be collected or
i86 APPENDIX IV 1612
received by reason or in respect of his said office or
offices place or places of deputy or deputies, and shall
further before he or they execute or undertake the same
office or place of deputy or deputies take a corporal
oath ... for the true and due execution of the said
office and place, and also the oath commonly called the
Oath of Supremacy. . . . And ... if any person or
persons so named or elected to be deputy or deputies
to the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said cor-
poration art or mystery for the time being as aforesaid
shall accept the same office and deputation and then
after shall wilfully and obstinately without good and
just cause or excuse refuse to attend or execute the
same, so as no person so nominated be compelled against
his will to hold such place of deputation above the
space of two years together, that then the said Master
Wardens and Assistants or the more part of them shall
or may impose upon every such person so refusing to
exercise the said office or place after such acceptance
thereof as aforesaid a reasonable fine not exceeding
twenty nobles, to be levied and paid to the use of the
said corporation. And further we will and by these
presents ... do grant unto the said Master Wardens
and Commonalty and their successors that they . . .
and their successors shall and may have take and enter-
tain one honest and discreet person in manner and
form hereafter in these presents expressed to be nominated
and chosen which shall be and be called the Clerk of the
said corporation art or mystery of Shipwrights. And
we have assigned made constituted named and ordained
. . . our well-beloved subject and servant Richard
Newman gent, to be the present Clerk of the said cor-
poration art or mystery, to be and continue in the said
office during the term of his natural life, unless he for
some misdemeanour shall be removed or dismissed or
shall surrender the same . . . [with power to company
to choose successor]. [Power to] name and appoint any
other inferior Officers Ministers and Members as shall
be needful and expedient in to or for the said corporation
art or mystery or the good government and affairs
thereof [and to remove them]. [Power to] admit receive
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 187
and take in whatsoever person or persons being our
natural born subjects as well within this our realm of
England as in other our Dominions and places being
under our obeisance and not otherwise which would be
and are or shall be willing and desirous to be of the said
corporation as a member or members thereof, and that
all and every person and persons so to be admitted received
and taken in by the said Master Wardens and Assistants
or the more part of them shall from the time of his or
their admission be called and accompted a brother and
member or freeman of the said Corporation in deed and
in name . . . [and power to remove them]. And to the
intent that as well our self our heirs and successors as
also all our merchants and other our subjects may from
time to time hereafter be better furnished stored and
supplied with cunning skilful and sufficient Shipwrights
and workmen of that kind for the making building
and repairing of ships pinnaces and other vessels, and
for the avoiding suppressing or preventing as much as
in us lieth of the manifold abuses and deceits therein
daily practised and committed by such persons as are
altogether unskilful, having never been trained or brought
up as apprentices in the said art or mystery according
to the laws and statutes of this our realm of England,
we do therefore . . . will and grant to the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty of the said art or mystery
of Shipwrights of Redrith and to their successors forever
that every Freeman of the said company shall and may
from time to time hereafter have take and keep one
or more apprentice or apprentices to be trained and
brought up under him in the said trade art or mystery
of Shipwright, and that every such apprentice shall be
by covenants bound by and to his master that shall
entertain him as aforesaid duly and truly to serve him
as his apprentice for and during the full space and term
of seven years at the least, and to be ordered and used
to all intents and purposes according to the custom
of the city of London, and that the same covenant of
apprenticeship be made by writing indented and re-
gistered or enrolled at their common hall before them-
selves in their said corporation by their Clerk or his
i88 APPENDIX IV 1612
sufficient deputy or deputies for the time being, and
that such enrolment shall be good and effectual in the
law to all intents and purposes against us our heirs and
successors and against all other person or persons what-
soever, any law statute custom or usage to the contrary
in any wise notwithstanding. Willing and by these
presents for us our heirs and successors straitly charging
and commanding . that no shipwright caulker or ship-
carpenter or any other being a Freeman of the said
company and using exercising practising or professing the
said trade skill art or mystery of building making trimming
dressing graving launching drawing stocking or repairing
of any ships pinnaces or other vessel or vessels whatso-
ever for navigation or traffic shall or may at any time
or times hereafter receive have entertain or keep any
apprentice or other servant being not already free of
the said Corporation or not having served with some
other shipwright in the same trade, to be used exercised
trained or brought up under him in the said trade art
or mystery as aforesaid except he first cause every such
his servant or apprentice to be bound unto him by in-
denture for the said term of seven years at the least or
for so many years as together with the years which he
hath served in the said trade as aforesaid shall make up
the number of seven years, and do likewise cause his
said indenture of apprenticeship to be registered or
enrolled before the Clerk of the Company or his deputy
for the time being as aforesaid within one month next
after the taking thereof, upon pain of our heavy dis-
pleasure and of such fine or other punishment as by
the laws and statutes of this realm or by the laws and
ordinances already made or hereafter to be made by the
said Master Wardens and Assistants of the said art or
mystery for the time being or the greater part of them
according to the true intent and meaning hereof shall
or may be infficted upon him or them that shall offend
therein. [Power to] assemble convocate and congregate
themselves together at or in their common hall or house
being now at Redrith in the County of Surrey or in any
other place or places for the same convenient, and then
and there to keep Courts and consultation for the said
t6i2 APPENDIX TV 189
corporation art or mystery and the affairs thereof, and
the perquisites issues and profits of the said Court or
Courts so to be held and kept to leave take and perceive
to and for the use of the said Corporation for the better
maintenance and preservation thereof, without any ac-
compt to be made or rendered to us our heirs or successors
in that behalf. [And power] then and there to treat
consult commune determine and agree amongst them-
selves or with any other person or persons whatsoever,
of upon and concerning the good estate benefit conver-
sation and wholesome rule government and ordering
of the said Corporation art or mystery and the men
apprentices workmen workmanship and all other the
affairs and things to the same belonging or thereupon
in any wise depending, and at in and upon such their
assemblies meetings and conferences to make ordain
and constitute such and so many good wholesome and
reasonable laws statutes articles constitutions orders
and ordinances whatsoever as to them or the greater
part of them being then and there present, whereof
the Master and one of the Wardens for the time being
to be always two, shall seem reasonable necessary meet
and convenient for touching or concerning the premises,
and for the better advancement performance and con-
tinuance of the same, and also for the better directing
how and in what order and manner the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty and all other person and
persons using the said art or mystery within our said
realm of England or Dominion of Wales shall demean
and behave themselves as well in all and singular matters
and things touching or concerning the said art or mys-
tery or any thing thereunto appertaining as also in
their several offices functions ministries and businesses
touching or concerning the said art or mystery as afore-
said, and the same laws orders articles and constitutions
so made or any of them to put in use and execute accord-
ingly, and at their will again to revoke alter or change
when and as often as occasion shall thereto require.
\The Regulations, &c., when] entered and registered in
some public book to be kept for that purpose . . . shall
be holden as laws ordinances and statutes amongst them
igo APPENDIX IV 1612
to be put in use and execution, and shall bind all persons
of the said Corporation art or mystery and all shipwrights
and workmen of that profession in any place port haven
or town within our said realm of England and dominion
of Wales, as well the subjects of the same our realm
and dominions as strangers and aliens for and during
the time of their being in or upon any part of our said
realm coasts or dominions or any creeks or harbours of
the same, to observe obey and perform the same from
time to time in all things as the same ought to be, upon
the pains penalties and punishments in the same to be
imposed inflicted and limited so always as the said
laws statutes articles orders ordinances pains penalties
and punishments and every of them be agreeable to
reason and justice and not contrary or repugnant to
the laws statutes rights or customs of this our realm
of England, nor derogatory to the jurisdictions and
pre-eminences of the Lord High Admiral of England for
the time being or to the Court of Admiralty of England
or the Judges Register or Marshall of that Court for the
time being or any of them. [Power to impose] pains
penalties punishments fines amercements and forfeitures
. . . and for default of payment ... to distrain the
goods and chattels of such offender and the same to
keep till they shall be satisfied or otherwise to bring
their action for the same according to law. And ... all
and singular fines forfeitures sum and sums of money
whatsoever due or hereafter to be due and received by
reason of the said decrees orders or ordinances shall
be to the use commodity and sole benefit and behoof
of the said Corporation without any accompt or other
thing therefore to us our heirs or successors to be yielded
paid rendered made or done in that behalf, and without
any let trouble molestation or interruption of any person
or persons whatsoever for the same. [Powers] by writing
under their common seal ... to ask levy have receive
and take in all and every place and places within our
said realm of England and Dominion of Wales as well
of every Master Workman Shipwright or other person
or persons that shall hereafter make or build or cause
to be made or built any new ship or ships vessel or
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 191
vessels of the burthen of one hundred ton or more or
less all and singular such profits dues duties fees allow-
ances sum and sums of money whatsoever after such
rate and in such manner and form as at any time or
times heretofore themselves or their predecessors by
any name or names of corporation by under or by
force and virtue of any former charter or letters patent
by them or any of them given or granted or by any
other lawful and reasonable way or means have or
ought to have received had taken or enjoyed the same
by way of tonnage quarterage poundage or otherwise,
and also all and every such fines amercements penalties
sum and sums of money as shall be by force and virtue
of these our letters patent or any their laws orders
ordinances statutes or jurisdictions already made or
hereafter to be made for the good government of the
said company assessed or imposed upon any person or
persons whatsoever . . . [and] to enter and distrain
any the goods and chattels of the person or persons so
offending denying or withholding the same in any place
or places whatsoever where the same goods and chattels
or any of them shall or may be found . . . and . . .
to sue for and recover the same dues duties allowances
fines amercements penalties impositions sum and sums
of money in any of our Court or Courts of Record . . .
And to the end that the secret of the said art or mystery
and the manner of our English building and new making
of ships pinnaces and other vessels should for more
strength and safety of our realms and kingdoms be
kept secret to and within ourselves and our said realms
and dominions and altogether unknown to aliens and
strangers of other Nations, our will and pleasure is and
we do by these presents for us our heirs and successors
straitly charge and command that no person or persons
whatsoever of the said art or mystery of Shipwrights
do at any time or times hereafter directly or indirectly by
any ways or means whatsoever presume or attempt to
discover or make known to any foreigner or stranger
not being a natural born subject of us our heirs or
successors or not being naturalised or indenized nor to
any other person or persons not being free and sworn of
192 APPENDIX IV i6t2
and to the said Corporation nor being a sei-vant or
apprentice to the said art or mystery the secrets of the
said trade art or mystery or the special manner of our
English building or new making of ships pinnaces or
other vessels as aforesaid, nor do take any alien or stranger
born being not naturalised or indenized to be his or their
apprentice or servant, upon pain of our high displeasure
and of such further punishment as by the laws and
statutes of this realm or the ordinances and laws so
made or to be made by the said Master Wardens and
Assistants or the greater part of them as aforesaid can
or may be inflicted upon such offender or offenders for
the same. And to the end our will and pleasure herein
may be the better observed and performed and the
offender punished we do further by these presents give
and grant [power to] impose upon every such offender
a reasonable fine according to the quality of his offence
at the discretion of the said Master Wardens and Assistants
or the more part of them, the same fine to be forfeited
and paid by the person or persons so offending to the
sole benefit use and behoof of the said Corporation for
the better maintenance and upholding of the same and
relieving of the poor of the said Corporation. [Power]
to examine and punish by fine or such other correction
as the quality of the offence shall deserve and require
every person which shall unlawfully depart or go away
from his work after he hath been hired or agreed withal
for wages before the time or times of his retainer or
retainers be expired, or shall be found to grow mutinous
stubborn or disobedient or in any way a provoker seducer
or enticer of any other to any mutiny or disobedience
to the hurt injury or likelihood of hurt or injury of the
said Corporation or of the good government and order
therein or of any service whatsoever, and also to examine
hear and order all and every the complaints of or
against any shipwright or other workmen of the said
Corporation art or profession or of or against any of his
or their joiu-neymen apprentices or servants. And of
our more ample grace certain knowledge and mere
motion and for the better suppressing and reformation
of the deceits and abuses first above mentioned [power
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 193
given] to and for the said Master and Wardens or any
two of them for the time being and also to and for any
two of the said Assistants or other two persons being
skilful or which hereafter shall be skilful in the said art
or mystery being thereunto deputed and authorised
by writing under the common seal of the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty, first taking his or their
corporal oath or oaths upon the Evangelist ... for the
due execution of their said offices or places ... at all
convenient time or times, taking with them if need so
require a constable or any other his Majesty's officer or
officers of the city town or place, to search view and
survey all manner of timber wood and other stuff pro-
vided prepared and fitted for the building making or
repairing of any ships pinnaces or other vessels in any
place or places whatsoever within our realm of England
and dominion of Wales or in either of them, and also
to search view and survey all and every the works and
workmanship of all and every person and persons what-
soever in making working building or repairing . . .
any manner of ships pinnaces boats or other vessels
whatsoever within our said realm of England and dominion
of Wales or either of them, and that it shall and may be
lawful to and for the said Master and Wardens or any
two of them or their deputies so authorised as aforesaid
all and singular ships pinnaces boats and other vessels
hereafter to be buflt to view search and survey, and
such of them whereof the timber work at the time of
such search shall not be fully finished and which at the
time of such search view or survey so to be made as
aforesaid shall be found to be so insufficiently falsely
and deceitfully made wrought or repaired as they must
needs be by that means dangerous to such as shall
use or employ them, to arrest and stay until the same
shall be reformed amended repaired and made fit for
navigation. And our further will and pleasure is that
if the said persons before by these presents authorised
to make such search as aforesaid or any of them shall
happen to find any sappy wood red wood or other in-
sufficient wood or timber to be put into any ships pinnaces
or other vessels or hewn wrought and fitted for that
194 APPENDIX IV 1612
purpose, that then the said persons or any of them shall
forthwith charge and warn the makers or owners of
such ships pinnaces or other vessels forthwith to take
away the said sappy wood red wood and other insufficient
wood and timber and to supply the same with other
sufficient timber and wood. And if within convenient
time after such charge and warning given as is aforesaid
the said sappy wood red wood and other insufficient
wood and timber be not taken away and the same supplied
with other good and sufficient timber and wood as is
aforesaid, that then it shall and may be lawful to and for
the said Master and Wardens or any two of them or
any two of the said Assistants or any such deputy or
deputies as aforesaid to take and deface all such sappy
wood and red wood and all and singular such other
timber and wood which upon any such search and view
and after convenient admonition and warning given
to take the same away and to supply it with better and
more sufficient wood and timber they shall find to be
put in or apparently intended to be put into any ship
pinnace or other vessel or hewn and cut out or wTought
for that purpose, manifestly tending to the prejudice
and damage of us our heirs and successors or of any
other our loving subjects merchants and mariners whose
goods and lives are hazarded and often lost by reason
of such ill stuff, the use of all which sappy and red wood
and other insufficient stuff we do hereby for us our
heirs and successors strait ly prohibit and restrain to be
used or employed in any sort in or upon any ship or
other vessel. [Power] to impose and inflict such punish-
ment upon every offender in that behalf either by fine
or imprisonment or both of them as by the laws or
statutes of this realm or by any laws or ordinances
to be made by the said Corporation as is aforesaid
shall or may be imposed or inflicted upon them
for their offences in that behalf or otherwise that the
said Master and Wardens or any two of them or such
other person or persons so authorised as aforesaid and
which upon such search shall find any of the deceits
and abuses aforesaid shall complain thereof to some
Justice or Justices of Peace within that place or county
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 195
where such deceits and abuses shall be found. And
we do . . . straitly charge and command all and
every our Justice and Justices of the Peace whatsoever
to whom any such complaint or complaints shall so be
made as is aforesaid that they and every of them shall
by all good and lawful ways and means examine and
find out the truth of the said complaints abuses and
deceits, and if upon due examination thereof they shall
find that any such abuses and deceits have been com-
mitted as aforesaid, that then they cause the party or
parties so offending to be indicted or otherwise punished
for such his and their abuses and deceits either before
our Justices of Peace in the county where the same
abuses and deceits shall be committed and found at their
Sessions of the Peace or before the Justices of Assize
of the same county or before any other lawful judge or
judges, to the end that the said person or persons so
offending may receive such condign punishment as by
the laws and statutes of this realm can or may be in-
flicted upon him or them for his or their offence or offences
in that behalf. And ... we do . . . straitly charge
and command the said Master Wardens and Assistants
of the said art or mystery and their successors for the
time being that once in every month at the least such
search be made as is aforesaid, and that the authority
hereby in that behalf to them given be put in due execu-
tion without any respect of persons or partiality what-
soever. Provided always nevertheless and our will and
pleasure is that neither the Master nor Wardens of the
said art or mystery for the time being or any their deputy
or deputies so authorised to search as is aforesaid shall
not by colour of these letters patent meddle with or do
anything to the hindrance stay or prevention of any
ship pinnace or other vessel that is or shall be at the
time of such their search as aforesaid ready to go
forth for an intended voyage or journey or the master
owner mariners sailors or other officers of the same,
any thing in these presents to the contrary thereof in
any wise notwithstanding. [Power] to buy and provide
in any the places beyond the Seas all such timber planks
masts deals spars and wood and wooden stuff and also
196 APPENDIX IV 1612
all pitch tar rosin and oil as they shall think necessary
and convenient for the building or repairing graving
or fitting of ships pinnaces or other vessels, and the
same so bought and provided shall and may from time
to time for ever hereafter bring or cause to be brought
into this our realm of England and dominion of Wales
or any part or place thereof and the same discharge
and lay on land, paying to us our heirs and successors
the full Custom poundage and other duties due or which
hereafter shall be due to us our heirs or successors any
law statute custom proclamation or any other matter
cause or thing to the contrary notwithstanding. And
whereas for the better maintenance of navigation and
encouragement of our loving subjects to increase shipping
within this our realm there is and hath been of ancient
time an allowance given by us and our predecessors of
five shillings sterling for every ton of any new builded
ship to be rated according to the burthen of the said
ship did contain in burthen one hundred tons or upwards
in ton and tonnage, which laudable custom we being
pleased to continue, and finding it also convenient as
well for the avoiding of abuses that might be offered
in rating and setting down the tonnage of the said ships
and otherwise as also that the builder might have his
right and due allowance of tonnage, to appoint some
person or persons of knowledge and experience for the
surveying and overseeing of the true rates and tonnage
in that behalf, we did by our letters patent under our
great seal of England bearing date the four and twentieth
day of April in the third year of our reign give and grant
to John Grent gent, for and during his natural life the
office and place of surveyor of the tonnage and burthen
of all new builded ships of the burthen above mentioned
or upwards from time to time within this our realm of
England, together with the wages and fee of twelve
pence by the day of lawful money of England for the
exercising of the said office or place, together with all
and singular other fees profits commodities and allow-
ances whatsoever to the same place or office in any wise
due incident or appertaining, with a proviso or clause
therein contained that the said John Grent in the rating
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 197
and setting down of the tonnage and burden of the said
new builded ships from time to time should use the
advice and assistance of one of our shipwrights to be
nominated and appointed by our High Admiral of
England for the time being, and that all and every such
bill of tonnage as should be presented to us to be signed
for the said allowance of five shillings upon every ton of
the burden of the said ship should be first allowed under
the hand of the said surveyor and signed by the said
Admiral or his deputy for the time being as hath been
accustomed. And whereas by our letters patent bearing
date the eight and twentieth day of January in the fourth
year of our reign we did grant or mention to grant unto
Humfrey Jobson gent, for and during his natural life
the reversion of the said office or place of surveyor of
the tonnage and burden of all new builded ships of the
burden of one hundred ton above mentioned or upwards
from time to time within our realm of England next
after the death forfeiture or surrender of the said John
Grent, together with the wages and fee of twelve pence
a day for the exercising of the said office and place and
all and singular other fees profits commodities and
allowances whatsoever to the same place or office in
any wise due incident or appertaining, as in and by the
said two several letters patent more at large appeareth,
and whereas of late we have been much wronged de-
frauded and abused in that sundry of the said ships for
want of exact viewing surveying and measuring have
been overrated in their burden and tonnage, whereby
we have, been charged with the payment of a greater
allowance than in truth we ought to have been, know ye
therefore that we reposing a special trust and confidence
in the faithfulness experience care and honest and true
circumspection of the Master Wardens and Commonalty
of the said art or mystery of Shipwrights, and to the
end that we our heirs and successors may not at any
time from henceforth in like sort be defrauded wronged or
abused, do of our especial grace certain knowledge and
mere motion give and grant to the said Master Wardens
and Commonalty and to their successors for ever the
office function and place of surveyor of the tonnage and
198 APPENDIX IV 1612
burden of all new builded ships of the burden of one
hundred ton above mentioned or upwards from time to
time within this our realm of England, together with the
said wages and fee of twelve pence by the day and all other
fees profits commodities and allowances whatsoever to the
said office or place in any wise due belonging incident or
appertaining. And them the said Master Wardens and
Commonalty and their successors we do by these presents
for us our heirs and successors nominate ordain make and
appoint surveyors of the tonnage and burden of all new
builded ships from time to time within this our realm of
England and dominion of Wales, to have hold exercise and
enjoy the said office function and place and also to have
receive and perceive the said wages and fee of twelve
pence by the day immediately when and from and after
such time as the estate and interest estates and interests
granted or mentioned to be granted to the said John Grent
and Humfrey Jobson respectively by death surrender
forfeiture or other occasion cause or means whatsoever
is are or shall be void ended or determined. And when-
soever the said office or place shall first happen or become
void unto the said Master Wardens and Commonalty
and to their successors forever, and for the better and
more exact examination judging and finding out from
henceforth of the true burden and tonnage of every ship
and vessel that is or shall be capable of or intended to
have or require the said allowance, we do hereby for
us our heirs and successors ordain decree grant limit and
appoint and also straitly charge and command the said
Master and Wardens for the time being by themselves or
their deputies being honest skilful and sufficient persons
as well to go on board every such ship and vessel and
there to view and discern whether she be sufficiently and
substantially built as is fit and required in that behalf,
that is to say with two orlops at convenient distances
strong to carry ordnance aloft and alow with her fore-
castle and half deck close for fight, as also to cause every
such ship and vessel to be brought on ground and by
from and according to an exact measure taken of her
length breadth depth and draught in water so to rate and
set down the true burden and tonnage thereof and to
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 199
certify the same by letters testimonial under the common
seal of the said Corporation and the hands of the said
Master and Wardens of the said art or mystery for the
time being as they will ever after be ready upon their
oaths and allegiance to approve the same. And our
will and pleasure is and we do by these presents for
us our heirs and successors straitly prohibit charge
and command that no person or persons whatsoever
shall or may at any time or times hereafter be capable
of or presume to take receive and demand the said
allowance of five shillings a ton as aforesaid until such
due measuring rating and certificate be first had and made
as aforesaid, willing and requiring as well our Lord High
Treasurer and Lord High Admiral of England and our
Treasurer and Chancellor of our Exchequer as also
the said John Grent and Humfrey Jobson and all other
persons whom it may concern to take notice of our
will and pleasure in this behalf, any former grant pro-
vision limitation custom or usage to the contrar}^ hereof
in any wise notwithstanding. And moreover for the
better maintaining strengthening and upholding of the
said Corporation and the suppressing and reforming
as well of the manifold errors deceits and abuses practised
in the said profession art and mystery as also of the
disorders and misdemeanours of divers wilful stubborn
and disobedient persons of the said profession art or
mystery, which can very hardly by any other means
be redressed restrained or reformed, and for the better
continuing settling and establishing of good order dis-
cipline and government amongst them for the especial
of our own service and the general benefit of all our
loving subjects as well merchants as others, we do . . .
give and grant to the said Master Wardens and Common-
alty and their successors for ever by these presents that
if any person or persons now practising using or professing
or which hereafter shall practise use or profess the said
art or mystery or any thing thereunto appertaining
shall wilfully or obstinately oppose or resist the order
rule and government of the said Master W^ardens and
Assistants of the said art or mystery for the time bemg,
or shall refuse to obey or to submit him or themselves
200 APPENDIX IV 1612
to this our charter or letters patent and to such whole-
some laws orders ordinances and institutions as are or
shall be made by force and virtue thereof as aforesaid,
tending to the good service of Us and our Common-
wealth and to the good estate and preservation of the
said art or mystery, or shall not well and honestly carry
behave and demean him and themselves towards the
Master Wardens and Assistants of the said art or mystery
for the time being and their deputy or deputies or other
inferior officers respectively according to the true intent
and meaning of these presents, but after due and con-
venient warning notice or admonition given to him or
them in that behalf shall still wilfully and obstinately
persist persevere or continue in any wilful stubborn
obstinate or disobedient course tending to the hurt
and prejudice of us our heirs and successors or of any our
loving subjects or the order rule and government afore-
said, either by insufficient negligent or deceitful working
or not performing of his or their duties or by purloining
or embezzling of stuff, by unlawful or disorderly de-
parture from his or their work after he or they have been
hired, and such like, or shall do or commit any act or
acts directly or indirectly to the prejudice or hindrance
of the said Corporation or the good estate and pro-
ceedings thereof, either by wilful absenting him or
themselves from the common hall and meetings upon
due warning, or by denial of ordinary and just duties,
or shall by mutinies combinations conspiracies or any
such like wicked and unlawful course or practice persist
or continue in the wilful breach neglect or contempt
of this our charter or any thing herein contained or
any law ordinance or institution made by force of these
presents, that then in all and every or any of these
cases before mentioned it shall and may be lawful to
and for the said Master Wardens and Assistants or any
three of them, whereof the Master and one of the Wardens
to be always two, severally to correct and punish such
offender or offenders according to the quantity and
quality of his or their offence or offences according to
the laws and ordinances of the said Corporation and
according to the laws and statutes of the realm in that
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 201
behalf respectively. And whereas the greatest number
of the workmen and other persons employed in the
trades aforesaid are so very poor needy and of mean
condition as no pecuniary mulct can take hold of them,
and likewise so rude and disordered as no ordinary or
civil censure can move them to yield obedience to rule
or government, and therefore some sharp and severe
correction and restraint must necessarily be used towards
them in many cases, therefore our will and pleasure is
and we do by these presents will and ordain that if any
person or persons now using or which shall hereafter
use or exercise within the said realm of England or
dominion of Wales the said art trade or mystery of
Shipwrights or other the works or trade aforesaid shall
obstinately resist and withstand the government of the
said Master Wardens and Assistants or their lawful de-
puty or deputies, and shall after admonition and warning
given unto them or any of them in that behalf wilfully
persist in such disobedient course either by deceitful
working or by unlawful departure from their work after
they have been hired and within the time or times of
their retainer, or shall by combination conspiracies or
other unlawful practices seek to overthrow destroy and
bring into contempt the powers privileges and authorities
by these presents given and granted to the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty and their successors for the
universal benefit and good of our said realm dominion
and subjects, that then or in such cases the Lord Admiral
of England for the time being upon complaint and proof
thereof made to him shall take the body or bodies of
all and every such notorious offenders and keep them
under arrest until they shall conform themselves and
reform what they have done amiss as aforesaid. And
forasmuch as a great part of the said art or mystery are
continually for the most part employed and attendant
upon the service and navigation of us our heirs and
successors, we therefore ... do will and grant . . .
that the said Master Wardens and Commonalty or any
of them or their or any of their successors shall not at
any time or times hereafter be informed put placed
or impanelled in or upon any assizes juries inquests
202 APPENDIX IV 1612
or attaints whatsoever before any judges justices or
commissioners of us our heirs or successors out of the
cities to\Mis boroughs parishes or places where they
or any of them do or shall happen to dwell, unless they
have lands or tenements lying out of the said cities
towns boroughs parishes or places by reason whereof
they or any of them ought to be charged, nor shall at
any time be pressed or enforced to serve us our heii's
or successors as land soldiers, but do absolutely and
freely discharge them and every of them from any such
ser\dce or attendance. And we do further by these
presents for us our heirs and successors straitly charge
and command all and every sheriffs bailiffs and other
officers of us our heirs and successors, that they and
every of them do from time to time forbear to put or
impanel any of the said Master Wardens and Commonalty
or any their deputy or apprentices in or upon any such
juries or inquests as is aforesaid, contrary to our said
meaning and intent, upon pain of our displeasure and
of such pains penalties and imprisonments as by the
law^s of this our Realm can or may be inflicted or im-
posed upon them or any of them for their contempt in
doing contrary to our royal pleasure and command-
ment in that behalf. And whereas the Master Wardens
and Commonalty of the said art and mystery of Ship-
wrights of Redrith aforesaid and their and every of their
deputies and apprentices being continually for the most
part charged and chargeable to be ready and provided
at an hour's warning upon divers services and employ-
ments as well at the sea for the necessary defence and
safety of our realms and kingdoms and for the use and
employment of our merchants for continuance and
increase of trade and commerce with foreign nations
for the benefit and profit of us and our subjects, as also
to give attendance within our kingdoms for the new
building repairing and trimming as well of the ships
pinnaces and vessels of us our heirs and successors as
of the ships pinnaces and vessels of our merchants and
subjects, therefore our will and pleasure is that if it
shall happen the said Master Wardens and Commonalty
or other persons which by the true intent and meaning
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 203
hereof are and ought to be discharged from such service
upon juries and inquests shall by sheriffs bailiffs and
other officers ignorantly or wilfully be put and impanelled
to serve upon juries and inquests contrary to our true
intent and meaning in that behalf in certain our former
letters patent granted and also in these presents renewed,
and that any of the said persons being absent from their
houses and places of habitation at such times as they
were or shall be summoned or warned to appear upon
any such juries or inquests could not nor cannot plead
nor alledge the said former letters patent nor these
presents or the privileges and authorities hereby given
and granted unto them for their discharge in that behalf,
whereby divers issues lines and amercements are many
times returned against them contrary to our true intent
and meaning, w^e do therefore grant . . . unto the said
Master Wardens and Commonalty and to their successors
forever that if any issues fines or amercements shall be
returned forfeited or imposed by or upon any of the
said person or persons of the said Corporation trade art
or mystery for and in respect of not doing or not per-
forming of any the said services or other things whereof
they are hereby exempted or freed or mentioned to be
exempted or freed, that then the same person or persons
his and their heirs executors administrators and assigns
and every of them and all his and their lands tenements
goods and chattels shall be forever freed and discharged
of and from the said issues fines and amercements and
every of them, and we do require and command the
Barons of our Exchequer that in respect of the poverty
of many that are to be relieved in this case they give
them all expedition and ease in their proceedings and
pleadings for their discharge in that behalf. And because
this Corporation of Shipwrights hath been principally
instituted and made for the maintenance and increase
of navigation and for the better and more substantial
making building and repairing of ships and also for the
training up and instructing of shipwrights ship-carpenters
labourers and w^orkmen to make them more ready able
and skilful for service, all wliich things do very greatly
concern the defence safety wealth and profit of our self
204 APPENDIX IV 1612
our kingdoms and subjects, therefore we do not only
straitly charge and command all and every person or
persons which are or shall be of the Commonalty of this
Corporation that they do dutifully submit themselves
to such good and wholesome laws statutes and ordinances
as shall be hereafter ordained and made by virtue of
these letters patent for the government rule order and
direction of this Corporation and of all the members
thereof, but we do also straitly require charge and
command all Masters Wardens Assistants deputies and
other the principal officers of this incorporation now
being and that hereafter shall be, that they and every
of them in their several offices and places do carefully
diligently and circumspectly look to the due and severe
execution of all such laws statutes and ordinances so
to be made as aforesaid, that the same may be truly
performed and accomplished according to the tenor and
true meaning of the same, upon pain of our heavy dis-
pleasure and indignation and of such punishment and
imprisonment as by our laws may be inflicted on them
and every or any of them, wherein our meaning is to
extend the greater punishment upon such as having
offices and places of trust and charge committed unto
them shall by wilfulness negligence remissness partiality
or otherwise offend themselves or suffer others to offend
in those things whereof they ought to be the reformers
and redressers and at whose hands we expect to receive
and have amendment and reformation of all offences
that shall be committed by any others in that behalf.
And forasmuch as the poverty of Ship\\Tights and persons
belonging to the said Corporation is now much more
increased than in former times and not able to be relieved
supported and maintained by the duties and revenues
of the said Corporation wliich heretofore they have had
or were enabled to have, being so small in yearly value,
therefore and to the end the said Master Wardens and
Commonalty and their successors may be from hence-
forth the better enabled from time to time to bear and
sustain their charges and expenses drawn and occasioned
by reason of the Corporation and to relieve and maintain
the poor of the same, we have . . . given and granted
. . . unto the said Master Wardens and Commonalty
i6i2 APPENDIX IV 205
of the said art or mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith
aforesaid and to their successors, especial licence and
free and lawful faculty power and authority that they
and their successors forever shall and may not only have
receive and purchase to them and their successors forever
to their own proper use and behoof as well of us our
heirs and successors as of any other person or persons
whatsoever manors messuages land tenements rectories
tithes rents reversions services and other hereditaments
whatsoever which are not held of us our heirs and
successors in chief or by knight's service nor of any other
by knight's service, so always that the same manors
[&c.'\ by the said Master Wardens and Commonalty or
their successors so to be received purchased obtained or
had as aforesaid do not exceed the clear yearly value
of forty pounds by the year above all charges deductions
and reprises, the statute of lands and tenements not
to be put in mortmain or any other statute act or ordin-
ance provision restraint or any other matter cause or
thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding. And
further ... we do give and grant special license and
full and free power and authority to any and every
of the subjects of us our heirs and successors and to all
and every body and bodies corporate and politic and
other person or persons whatsoever and to every of
them ; that they and every of them shall and may give
grant bequeath assign or by any ways or means whatso-
ever alien devise or assure unto the said Master Wardens
and Commonalty and to their successors forever any
manors [&c., as before, with same limitations]. And
finally we do by these presents for us our heirs and
successors straitly charge and command as well the
Lord Admiral of England for the time being and also
the Judge of our Admiralty and principal officers of our
Navy and all Vice- Admirals Marshals Serjeants and
other officers of our Admiralty as also the Lord Mayor
of our City of London and the Sheriffs Justices Constables
and other officers and Ministers of the said city for the
time being, and also the several Mayors of our cities
of Bristol and Rochester and of our towns of Yarmouth
Plymouth Dartmouth Ipswich Southampton Wood-
bridge Hull and Newcastle respectively for the time
2o6 APPENDIX IV 1612
being and all other Mayors Sheriffs Justices of Peace
Bailiffs Constables and other officers and ministers of
us our heirs and successors whatsoever within our said
realm of England and dominion of Wales, that they and
every of them be from time to time and at all times
hereafter helping aiding and assisting to the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty and to their successors and
to every and any of them for the time being and to
every of their deputy or deputies officer or officers for
the time being forever, as well in and for such search
view and survey so to be made as aforesaid as also for
and in the execution of all and singular grants ordinances
laws constitutions and orders herein contained or here-
after upon or by virtue of these presents to be allowed
and approved in all things according to the true intent
and meaning of the same, upon pain of our high dis-
pleasure and as they will answer the contrary. And
these our letters patent or the enrolment thereof shall be
good and effectual in the law to the said Master Wardens
and Commonalty and their successors to all intents
constructions and purposes against us our heirs and
successors forever, any Act of Parliament statute law
provision proclamation restraint or other matter cause
or thing whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any
wise notwithstanding. Provided always that these our
letters patent or anything therein contained shall not
in any wise extend or be constructed to extend or be
prejudicial to our Cinque Ports or to the liberties or
members of the same or of any of them or to any juris-
diction power or authority of the Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports for the time being which he hath or in
any wise or sort he ought or may lawfully use exercise
or claim to or with the office of the Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports or of any other office or offices belonging
incident or appertaining to the said office of the Lord
Warden of the Cinque Ports, any grant power privilege
matter or thing before in these presents contained to the
contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. Although
express mention &c. In witness whereof &c. Witness
our self at Westminster the sixth day of ^lay.
per breve de privato sigillo.
i6ii APPENDIX V 207
V.
New Building the Prince Royal at Woolwich
[Pipe Office Declared Account No. 2249] 1
[N.B. — Spelling and 7ttimerals modernised]
Mathew Baker, one of his Majesty's Master Ship-
wrights, for his pains and charges in many journeys
between Deptford and Woolwich during the time of the
new building of his Majesty's ship the Prince Royal, by
special command from the Lord Treasurer and the Lord
Admiral of England ...... 10/.
Robert Beake and Paul Isackson, painters, for paint-
ing and gilding his Highness' ship the Prince Royal with
fine gold and divers colours wrought and laid in oil,
finding at their own charge all manner of stuff and work-
manship : viz. the beakhead three times primed and
stopped ; his Majesty's arms and badges, with divers
beasts, and the Prince's arms all gilded with fine gold
and wrought in oil colours . . . 62/. 6s. 8^.
For both the sides, and all the carved work on both
the sides, as well on the backside as foreside, three times
primed and stopped ; with his Majesty's whole arms and
badges on the two upper strakes ; the Prince's arms and
badges on the third strake ; the great mask head on the
fourth strake ; all the foresaid arms, with very much
other work, and the lower strake all gilded and wrought
in oil colours 190^
For the galleries, three on each side, priming three
times ; the low^er galleries with his Majesty's beasts and
badges ; the third with the like and very much other
work ; all gilded and wrought in oil colours . . 100/.
For the upright in the stern with his Majesty's whole
arms and badges ; on the first, second and third galleries
on the stern, with his Majesty's arms and beasts, and
the Prince's also ; on the lower counter two great mask
heads three times primed and stopped, all gilded and
laid in oil colours 140/.
2o8 APPENDIX V 1611
For all the bulkheads, the first in the poop, the second
afore the Master's cabin, the third afore the Prince's
cabin, the fourth and fifth in the waist ^vith the bell-
house, the sixth and seventh afore the forecastle, thereon
some of his Majesty's badges and much other work,
three times primed and stopped, gilded and wrought in
oil colours ....... 45/. los.
For all the timbers within the board, and all the
plansers^ afore and abaft, double primed and stopped
and laid in oil colours ...... 10/.
For the galleries within board, primed and stopped
and laid in oil colours . . . . . .6/.
For the Prince's lodging cabin, very curiously wrought
and gilded with divers histories, and very much other
work in oil colours ..... 164/.
For the state cabin, gilded and very curiously wrought
with divers histories, and much other works, wrought in
oil colours and varnished ..... 90/.
For the room abaft the stateroom, wrought overhead
and on each side with sundry figures in oil colours . 15/.
For the Master's cabin wrought and varnished, with
his mate's cabins, primed and laid in oil colours iios.
And for all the works under the half deck, double
primed and stopped, with very much works, and up the
stairs to the half deck, all laid in oil colours . . 40/.
In all 868/. 6s. M.
Sebastian Vicars, for carved works by him wrought
and performed aboard his Highness' ship the Prince,
lately new built at Woolwich. That is to say, in the
beakhead for carving the George, 20/. ; the trailboard,
10/. ; the sideboard, 16/. ; of two boards for the half rail
between the planchers, 9/. ; of 14 brackets for both,
13/. 6s. 8i. ; of two lions for the half rail, 50s. ; of a
serpent for the tacks, 13s. 4^. ; of two great mask heads
for the two hawsers, and of two fish heads for steadying
the main knee, 30s. ; for carving the sides without board,
viz : of 104 brackets along the sides without board,
12/. 6s. M, ; of 47 compartments in the lower strake,
» Elsewhere spelt ' Planchers ' and * Plansters,' now
usually spelt ' Planeshears.' The planks covering the tops
of the timbers and forming a shelf below the gunwale.
i6ii APPENDIX V 209
110s. ; of 14 great lion heads for the round ports, 10/. ; of
12 Prince's badges in the middle strake, 12I. ; for carving
9 compartments in the same strake, iios. ; of the King's
badges on the sides without board, 22I. ; of one pair of
the King's arms and another of the King's and Queen's
together, 15/. ; of four terms ^ on either side the arms, 75s. ;
of four ports, two in the bow and two in the quarter
abaft, with four taff rails, iios. ; of 4 scuttles of windows,
4/. ; of 8 trophies in the upper strake, iios. ; of 14
brackets in the narrow strake and 12 compartments,
55s. ; and of four hansing pieces in the waist, ^^s. ^d. ;
for carving the two sides in the lower gallery, 20/. ;
of 26 brackets, 61. ; of 12 supporters under the galleries,
61. ; and of the frieze round about, 81. ; for carving of
6 panels with stories on the middle of the gallery, 18/. ;
of 16 arches, 60s. ; of ten great terms, 10/. ; of 14 little
terms, 61. los. ; of two great badges of the Prince's,
SI. ; of four of the Prince's letters, 25s. ; of ten Dragons
for supporters, loos. ; of two great arches within the
galleries, 13s. ^d. ; and of four hansing pieces, 40s. ;
for the carving the two sides on the upper gallery, 15/. ;
of the ten brackets, 40s. *, of eight beasts, 70s. ; of ten
taffraik, 25s. 8d. ; for carving of four great terms in
the stern, 61. ; of three great arches, 60s. ; of two great
lions' heads, 33s. 4^. ; of the rudder head and tiller,
20s. ; of the planks cross the stern, 61. 13s. ^d. ; of the
frieze, 4I. ; of seven brackets, 33s. 4^. ; of two dragons,
40s. ; of seven pendants, 68s. ; of eight terms, yl. los. ;
of six arches, 25s. ; of the Prince's badges, 4/. ; of two
letters on either side of the badge, i6s. ; of two pieces
of Victory and Fame, yl. ; of the plank cross the stern
in the upper gallery, yl. ; of six brackets, 25s. ; of six
beasts, 66s. 8^. ; and of five taffrails, 15s. ; for carving
the King's arms ten foot wide in the upright, 22/. ; and
of two pyramids with two boys sitting on the top showing
for Peace or War, 61. ; for carving four terms for the
doors in the forecastle, 35s. ; of a frieze round about,
35s. ; of four terms and four cartowes,^ 55s. ; and of two
^ Terminal pieces.
2 Cartouches ; modillions or corbels.
210 APPENDIX VI 1631
hansing pieces, 40s. ; for carving of six terms and six
cantlappers ^ and two arches for the doors in the fore-
castle within board, 61. ; of three orpins,^ 73s. ^d, ;
of six brackets, 15s. ; of four badges of the King's, 60s. ;
and of the bellhouse and knights' heads, 56s. 8d., for
carved work in the bulkhead abaft, viz. of six terms and
six cantlappers, 61. ; of four cantlappers and six arches
to give light under the half deck, 35s. ; of seven brackets
and six compartments in the narrow frieze, 35s. ; for
carving twelve arches on both the sides of the half deck
and of 28 brackets, yl. ; for carving of six terms for three
doors and six cantlappers with three arches on the quarter
deck, 9/. ; of two terms and two cantlappers, 30s. ;
and of two hansing pieces and the knights' heads, 30s. ;
and for carving two orpins and two brackets on the
roundhouse, 20s. ; and of two hansing pieces, 20s. In
all 441Z. 4^.
VI
Petition to the Admiralty
S.P. Dom., Chas. I, cxciv. 47]
Noble Sir, — I have nothing to tender you for many
favours received from you but the return of my thanks,
and particularly for this last courtesy about the petition
delivered against me which I have, herein enclosed,
returned together with my answer, desiring you to be
pleased it may be both presented and read to the Lords
Commissioners, whose order herein I shall with all
humble submission assent unto, not doubting of your
careful favour herein, which I shall study to requite
with my best acknowledgments, beseeching you to be
pleased so far to mediate for me that the plaintiff may not
have power from their lordships to bring disgrace upon
me, whereby his Majesty's service may suffer as well as
myself, by giving leave to have me intercepted when I
am to attend the ordinary meeting of the principal
* I.e. cantilevers, or projecting brackets.
' Harpins or ribbands.
I
i63i APPENDIX VI 211
officers of his Majesty's Navy, within the city, where they
wait for advantage. So leaving myself to your care I take
leave and rest
At your service,
Phineas Pett.
Chatham, 22nd June, 163 1.
I pray, sir, be pleased to return me word by this
bearer when his Majesty is to go to Portsmouth.
[Endorsed) To my honoured friend Edward Nicholas,
Esquire, Secretary to the right honourable Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty of England these
Westminster.
47 1.
To the right honourable the lords and other Com-
missioners of the Admiralty of England.
The humble answer of Phineas Pett, his Majesty's
servant, to the petition of Lewes Tayte, smith.
I do acknowledge I become debtor ^ to this petitioner
for ironwork delivered to the building of a new ship
called the Destiny, built by me for Sir Walter Ralegh, from
whom I could never receive satisfaction for the said work
by 700/., which I was forced to venture with him in
his voyage, wherein he failing, and at his return the ship
seized into his Majesty's hands, I suffered the loss of
the whole debt.
I was contented to give this petitioner my bond for
payment of his debt, notwithstanding my great loss,
some part whereof was orderly paid, and the rest I
should have easily satisfied had not a greater loss presently
befallen me, through the occasion of building two small
ships for the expedition of Algiers, wherein I sustained
(by the overworks, and charge of the journey wherein
I served as Captain in one of those ships) the loss of
above 900/., towards which I could never hitherto recover
one penny satisfaction.
^ MS. ' detter.'
212 APPENDIX VII 1623
By these two great losses suddenly befalling me, almost
together, I was utterly disabled either to satisfy the
debts arising from these businesses, or to raise means to
maintain myself and poor family.
Notwithstanding I have out of the little remnants of
my poor fortunes paid above 500/. of these debts within
the space of 6 years, which I never so much as drank for,
and I do yearly still contribute the better half of my
small means towards the satisfying the rest as carefully
as I can.
I have often entreated this petitioner's patience, as
knowing his abilities better able to forbear than others,
interested as himself in the same business, he having
also made more gain by his commodities than any other.
Always tendering satisfaction to him as I could take of
other debts, to the utmost my fortunes would extend
unto, and am very ready and willing yearly to pay unto
him such a sum as your lordships in your honourable
considerations of the premises, and my present fortunes,
shall order me to do. Humbly submitting myself to
your Lordships' favourable construction.
Phineas Pett.
VII
[Stowe MS. 743 f. 50]
Right Honourable, — My most humble services
presented.
Lest I should be the last in expressing my duty and
humblest service, being so infinitely obliged to your most
noble favours, I rather choose to incur the censure of
presumption, than the just imputation of ingratitude,
being hopeful for the first to procure your honourable
pardon, for the last it is beyond the plea of all excuse.
Please your lordship to understand that since your
posting from Tiballs, receiving direction for making ready
the Prince, I brought her into dry dock at Chatham,
there thoroughly searched her, and strengthened her in all
suspected places, new made and repaired all her masts.
1623 APPENDIX VII 213
and launched her again within fourteen days, and have in
all points been so careful to prepare all rooms for state,
ease, convenience, and ornament, as I hope will give your
lordship as much content as can be in any ship contrived.
The cook room is by a powerful command (against
my consent) removed from the old place in hold into the
forecastle, in which I was much overborne, having had
the experience of the conveniency thereof, in my personal
service in former transportation.
The Prince is at present in such forwardness as if there
be no other wants she may be at sea in fourteen days,
and is now taking in her beer and other provisions.
All the fleet are in the same readiness, the George
and the Antelope making all possible haste to get to sea,
and this is the account of the business here under my
charge, which in all humbleness I held my duty to present
your lordship.
Were it not that I intend to wait upon your lordship
in the great ship, I would have procured his Majesty's
leave to have come with Sir Francis Steward. I hold
myself very unhappy to be from, attending your lordship
in any sea service.
Thus humbly craving your lordship's honourable
construction of this my presumption, and pardon for my
boldness, which I cannot but do in zeal of my service,
praying God to send your lordship increase of honour,
health, happiness, and a prosperous return, in all humble-
ness I kiss your lordship's hand and ever remain,
Your lordship's creature,
Phineas Pett.
Chatham, 10th April 1623.
To the Right Hon^ Lord Marquis of Buckingham,
Lord High Admiral of England, give these.
214 APPENDIX VIII 1634
VIII
Protest ot Trinity House against the Building
of the Sovereign
[S.P. Dom. Chas I. cclxxiii. 25]
Right Honourable, — Being informed that his
Majesty is minded to build a great ship of these dimen-
sions (namely) 124 foot by the keel, in breadth 46 and
for draught in water 22 foot, these strange and large
dimensions gave us cause to fall into discourse, and in our
discourse fell on these particulars following, namely :
That a ship of this proportion cannot be of use, nor
fit for service in any part of the King's Dominions ; and
as unfit for remote service : our reasons —
First, there is no port within this kingdom (the Isle
of Wight only) that can in safety harbour this ship, then
it followeth, if she be not in port then is she in continual
danger, exposed to all tempests, to all storms, that time
shall bring. In a desperate estate she rides in every
storm : in peril she must ride, when all the rest of her
companions (his Majesty's ships) enjoys peace, rides quiet
and safe in port : for example, we have the Prince in her
voyage to Spain for his Majesty in foul weather, when all
the fleet harboured in the Port of Plymouth, the Prince
she only might not, for she could not, she too big, her
draught too much, the wild sea must be her port ; in
the Sound of Plymouth must she ride, her anchors and
cables her safety. If either of them fail, the ship must
perish, 4 or 500 men must die, and the King must lose
his Jewel ; and this will be the state of this ship.
That she cannot harbour is her great draught in
water, and less in draught she will not be, but could she
be made to draw less water, yet anchors and cables must
hold proportion, and behig made, they will not be man-
ageable, the strength of man cannot wield nor work them,
but could they do it, yet the ship little bettered in point of
safety, for we are doubtful whether cables and anchors
\
1634 APPENDIX VIII 215
can hold a ship of this bulk in a great storm, for we have
more in our seas to add stress to cables and anchors than
the wind and foaming sea. We have strong tides which
strains both cables and anchors equal to wind and sea,
besides the particulars there are many things which must
concur ; for if either fail, the rest hold not, for example
if the cables fail, the anchors are of no use, if the anchors
fail, then neither cable nor anchor is serviceable, nay if
the ground be not good then is all the rest to no purpose,
so that if either of these fail all is lost, the ship lost with
all her provisions, the men lost, and it may be some
great and noble Peer in her.
Thus far so much as may concern the safety of this
ship being built.
Now for the force of this ship ; it will not any way
hold proportion with her bulk or burden, for the aim
must be for three tier of ordnance, the lower tier which
must carry the greatest ordnance and be of greatest
force must lie of necessity so low that in every gale of wind
the ports must be shut in, or else the ship will be in great
danger, or sink as did the Mary Rose in King Henry the
VIII's time at Portsmouth.
Or if you will lay them at 5 or 5| foot, then must the
third tier lie at that height as not to be serviceable, nay
this third tier will rather endanger the quality of the
ship (as the too high building hath in some of the king's
ships lately built, made them unfit for any good service).
Therefore three tier of ordnance must not be, neither
can the art or wit of man build a ship well conditioned
and fit for service with three tier of ordnance.
But if it be force that his Majesty desireth, then shall
he do well to forbear the building of this ship, and with
the same cost or charge to build two ships of 5 or 600 ton
a piece, either ship to have 40 pieces of good ordnance,
and these two ships will be of more force and for better
service and will beat the great ship back and side.
These particulars. Right Honourable, falling within
the compass of our discourse we held it our duty to his
Majesty to impart the particulars unto you, and with
your wisdom to leave them either to impart them unto
2i6 APPENDIX VIII 1634
the king, or otherwise as it shall seem best unto your
wisdom. And so we rest,
Your honour's ever at command,
T. Best.
Walter Coke.
Ro. Salmon.
From Ratcliff,
(^th of August 1634.
To the Right Honourable Sir John Coke, principal
Secretary to His Majesty.
[Nok. — This protest should be compared with the memor-
andum, attributed to Ralegh, in which Prince Henry is
advised against the building of he Prince Royal. See
E. Edwards, Life of Sir Walter Ralegh, Vol. II, p. 330.]
APPENDIX IX
217
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APPENDIX X
X
The Arms of Pett
The arms granted to Peter Pett in 1583 were :—
Or, on a fesse .gules between three roundels sable, a
lion passant of the field.
And for a crest : Out of a ducal coronet, or, a demi-
pelican wings expanded argent.
Several impressions of Phineas Pett's seal displaying
these arms, without the crest, are preserved on his letters
in the State Papers.
INDEX
ABINGTON
Abington, Mr., 23
Adams, Mr., 2
Adams, William, 56 n., 57 «.
Addey, John, master ship-
wright, xxiii, II, 173, 174,
178
Admiral, Lord High, xxvii,
xxxv-xxxvii, 205
Admiralty, Committee of,
xxxvii, xxxix
— Court of, xxxvi
— judge of, XXXV, xxxix,
Ixxxix, 205
— Lords Commissioners, xxxv,
Ixxxvi, xcix, 155, 211
— officers of, 205
Adye. See Addey
Alabaster, Mr., lix
Alexander, Mr., 23, 97, 98
Algiers, expedition against,
Ixxxiii, 122, 124, 139, 211
Alice Holt, 30
Allison, Sir William, 161
Andrews, Lawrence, 57
Anne of Denmark (Queen),
visit to ships at Chatham,
29 ; launch of Prince Royal,
80-81 ; mentioned, 76
Antwerp, 72
Apsley, Sir Allen, victualler of
the navy, 104
Apslyn, John, 178, 183
Apslyn, Nathaniel, assistant
master shipwright, 150
BAKER
Arches, Court of, 14
Arundel, Earl of, 89
Austen, Thomas, master atten-
dant, 166
a Vale, John, boatswain, Ivii,
19, 86
Aylesbury, Thomas, xlii, xc ;
secretary to Nottingham,
104; surveyor of navy, 150 w.
Bacon, Sir Francis, Ixiw., 103
Bagwell, Mr., 159
Baker, James, xx, xxi, xxii
Baker, Mathew, master ship-
wright, grants to, xxii, xxiii,
xxiv ; emoluments, xxviii ;
master of Shipwrights Com-
pany, XXX ; instruction given
to Phineas, liii ; letter of
Phineas to, liii ; Phineas'
opinion of, Iv ; his opinion
i of Phineas, Ixvii ; report on
Prince Royal, Ixxv ; MS. on
shipbuilding, Ixxix, Ixxxi ;
Phineas attempts to serve
him, 3 ; rebuilds Triumph,
6 ; employs Phineas, 6 ;
builds Repulse, 6 ; employs
Phineas and assists his
studies, 7 ; maUcious envy
of, II ; reversion of post to
Phineas, 23 ; envious enemy,
24 ; Golden Lion and Swift-
220
INDEX
BAKER
sure at Deptford, 29 ; com-
mission of inquiry, 33 ; com-
bines against Phineas, 38,
43 ; evidence before inquiry,
44 ; inquiry before James at
Woolwich, 48, 55, 60 ; cen-
sured by James, 63 ; ap-
pointed to survey materials
for Prince Royal, 68 ; re-
builds Red Lion, 68 ; Way-
mouth relates intrigue, 74 ;
rebuilding Merhonoitr, 112 ;
sickness and death, 112 ;
mentioned, 173, 174, 178,
183, 207
Barbary, voyage to, 5
Barker, Mr. 15, 20
Barking Creek, 150
Barwick, Mr., cousin, 151
Beake, Robert, 207
Beaulieu, 126
Bend, midship, 59 n.
Bent, 128
Bertie, Robert. See Lindsey
Best, T., 216
Bingley, Sir Richard, surveyor
of the navy, 92 ; survey at
Chatham, 92-3
Birchington, 85
Bishop Ness, 152
Blackheath. 83
Blacktail Sand, 158
Blackwall, 21, 34, 93, 163
Blankenberghe Sconce, 109
Bludder, Sir Thomas, victualler
to the navy, before Commis-
sion of Inquiry, 34 ; inquiry
at Greenwich into abuses,
69
Bl3rth, Prior of, xvi
Boate, Edward, master ship-
wright, Ixxx, 154
Bodman, Thomas, asst. master
shipwright, 17
BRYGANDIN
Bonanza, 26
Bond, WilUam, xvii
Borough, William, comptroller
of navy, xxiii w. ; house at
Limehouse, 9
Bostock, Mr., 153
Boulogne, 135
Bourne, Robert, 124, 183
Bowles, Charles, 151, 161
Bradshaw, Captain Robert, 106
Brakes, The, 133
Brancepeth Park, xcviii, 160
Bridlington, 159
Briggs, Henry, inquiry at Wool-
wich, Ixxxii, 59 and n.
Bright, — , senr., shipwright,
Ixx
Bright, Wm., master ship-
wright, succeeds to Chapman,
xxiv ; emoluments, xxviii ;
his opinion of Phineas, Ixix ;
report on Prince Royal, Ixxv ;
envy of, 11, 24 ; the Com-
mission of Inquiry, 33 ; com-
bines against Phineas, 38,
43 ; evidence before inquiry,
45 ; inquiry before James at
Woolwich, 48, 55, 60 ; cen-
sured by James, 63 ; Way-
mouth relates intrigue, 74 ;
mentioned, liv «., 178, 183
Bristol, 178, 205
Bromadge, Robert, 57
Brooke, Francis, clerk of stores
at Portsmouth, 144
Brooke, John, clerk of check
at Portsmouth, 144
Brooke, Lord. See Greville,
Sir Fulke
Brooke, Wm., 78
Btunning, Thomas, 124
Brunswick, Duke of, visits
Chatham, 134
Brygandin, Robert, xvii
INDEX
221
BUCK
Buck, Sir Peter, clerk of the
check at Chatham, 3 ; clerk !
of the ships, 3 n., 55 n. ; I
knighted, 3 «. ; mentioned,
15 ; the commission of in- j
quiry, 33 |
Buck, Thomas, the Commission
of Inquiry, 33 ; inquiry j
before James at Woolwich,
55
Buckingham, Duke of, Lord
High Admiral, visit to
Chatham, 120 ; obtains
blank patent of baronetcy
for Phineas, 121 ; journey
to Spain, Ixxxviii 125 ; lands
in Scilly Islands, 131 ; re-
lease of Phineas from prison,
139 ; mentioned, 133, 138,
139 ; murder, 140 ; letter
to, 212
Buckwell, 151
Bull, Richard, shipwright, xxi,
xxii, xxiii
Bull, Wm., master gunner of
England, fires salute at
Woolwich, 35, 36
Burgess, Mr., master of Resist-
ance, 26
Burghley, Lord, lord treasurer,
model for, 7 ; house at
Theobalds, 8
Burrell, Andrewes, 124, 145
Burrell, Wm., master ship-
wright, emoluments, xxviii ;
principal master workman
of East India Co., 39 ; the
inquiry at Woolwich, Ixxxi,
56 n., 57 ; ships built for
East India Co., 75 ; proposal
to build ship in Ireland, 95 ;
Commissioner of Inquiry
(161 8), Ixxxiii, cii, 119;
enemy of Phineas, 119, 120 ;
CARR
builds Happy Entrance and
Reformation, 121 ; Algiers
committee, 122 ; malice of,
124, 137 ; made assistant
to the principal officers, 143 ;
repair of ships, 144 ; Ports-
mouth Harbour, 145 ; men-
tioned, 55 n., 136, 183 ;
death, 145
Bursledon, xlvi
Bury, 12, 161
Button, Captain Sir Thomas,
cii ; the Commission of In-
quiry, 34, 67 ; inquiry into
abuses at Greenwich, 69 ;
ship for N.W. Passage, 95 ;
return to England, 112 ;
captain of Antelope, 133 ;
mentioned, 37, 97, 135
Button, Mrs., 37, 67
Bygatt, Wm., 55
By land, Mildred, married to
Phineas, 168 n. ; presented
to Charles, 168; death, 171
CaDZAND, III
Caesar, Sir Julius, Ixi n.
Cales (Cadiz), Ixi, 26
Calshot Castle, 127
Cambridge, Emmanuel College,
2, 161 ; The Falcon, 161 ;
Trinity College 161 ; men-
tioned, lii, 59
Camphire, no
Campion, Sir William, 151
Canewdon, 2
Cant, The, 94
Canterbury, 170
— Archbishop of, loi ; visits
Prince, 115
Carlisle, Earl of, 127
Carpenter, master, xvi, xix
Carr, Leonard, 159
222
INDEX
' CARR
Carr, Sir Robert, 132
Cassant Point, iii
CateroU, Thomas, 57
Caulker, xix
Cecil, Sir Robert. See Salis-
bury
Cecil, William. See Burghley
Chadwick; Charles, 2
Chaloner, Sir Thomas, Ixxxii,
59, 89
chamber, 35
Chandler, Edward, 124
Channel (EngUsh), 109
Channel (Queen's), 108
Chapman, Richard, master
shipwright at Deptford,
grant to, xxiv ; Phineas
bound apprentice to him,
liii, 3 ; death, xxiv, 3
Charing Cross, 114, 138
Charles I, Duke of York, 76,
81 ; Prince of Wales, visits
Woolwich, 114 ; journey to
Spain, Ixxxviii, 125 ; at
Santander, 128-30 ; rescue
by Defiance, 129 ; en-
deavours to make peace
between Dunkirk and
Holland men-of-war, 130 ;
lands in Scilly Islands, 131 ;
lands at Portsmouth, 132 ;
gives Phineas gold chain,
132 ; attends Parliament,
133 ; proclaimed King at
Chatham, 134 ; visits
Rochester, 134 ; visits Prmc^
Royal at Dover, 135 ; plans
of ships, 136 ; release of
Phineas from prison, 139,
141 ; gives Phineas blank
patent for baronetcy, civ,
139 ; creates Phineas an
assistant principal officer,
143 and n. ; principal ofi&cer,
CHATHAM
145 ; launch of Vanguard,
146 ; visit to ships at Ports-
mouth, 148 ; visit to Charles,
150 ; brown paper stuff,
153 ; launch of Unicorn
and James, 154 ; suspends
Phineas and others, xc, 155 ;
favour to Phineas, 155 ;
visit to Leopard, acquaints
Phineas of intention to build
Sovereign of the Seas, xci,
156-7 ; renews privy seal for
Phineas, 157 ; visits to Wool-
wich, 162-63 ; salvage of
Anne Royal, 163 ; attempted
launch of Sovereign, 165 ;
directs Mansell to name her
Sovereign of the Seas, 166 ;
visits ship, 167 ; orders ship
from Chatham to Woolwich,
168; visits her at Gravesend
and expresses satisfaction,
168 ; Phineas and Peter
visit, 171
Charles Lewis (afterwards
Elector Palatine), 162, 163
Charles, Prince (afterwards
Charles II), model for, 156
Chatham, mentioned, passim ;
Queen's House on the hill,
2 ; manor, 15 ; survey of
navy, 78 ; visit of Prince
Henry, 88-90 ; of his suite,
98 ; church, 100, 105, 120,
137, 141, 148, 164, 171 ;
preparations for transport
of Lady EUzabeth, 103 ;
visit of Nottingham 104,
III ; of King of Denmark,
114 ; the Brook, 116 ; Com-
mission of Inquiry', 119;
visit of Buckingham, 120 ;
survey of Prince, 124 ;
Charles proclaimed at Hill
INDEX
223
CHATHAM
House, 134 ; survey of ships,
137 ; general survey of navy,
144 ; visit of Charles, 147 ;
Sovereign at, 168
Chatham dockyard, surrendered
to Parliament, xcix ; mutiny,
18 ; storehouses, 17, 20,
147 ; old dock, 89, 147 ;
pinnaces built, 96, 137 ; new
dock, 120, 147, 152 ; Prince
Royal docked, 125, 134, 212 ;
Phineas' house in new dock-
yard, 149, 170 ; launch of
Sovereign, 165-6
Chelsea, 8, 102
Chester, Mr., Prince Royal
inquiry at Woolwich, 54
Chevreuse, Duchess of, 167
Chichester, 151
Child, Mr., 10
Chopwell Woods, xcviii, 160
Cinque Ports, 116, 206
Clay, Nicholas, shipbuilder, re-
port on Prince Royal, Ixxv ;
the Commission of Inquiry,
33 ; inquiry before James
at Woolwich, 49, 55, 60 ;
mentioned, 178, 183
Cleve, Sir Christopher, 121
Clifton, John, purser, the Com-
mission of Inquiry, 33 ; in-
quiry before James at
Woolwich, 5$
Clynker, xvi, xix
Coke, Sir John, secretary of
state. Commission of Inquiry,
119 ; dislike of Phineas,
126, 155 ; brown paper stuff,
I53» '^55> 156; mentioned,
xxvi, 165, 216
Coke, Walter, 216
Cole, Katharine, Peter visits,
at Woodbridge, 150 ; match
discussed, 152 ; married, 154
CROMWELL
j Cole, Mrs., arrangements for
' marriage of daughter, 152 ;
marriage of daughter, 154 ;
mentioned, 150, 162
Cole, Thomas, ^j, 154 n., 178
Collier, Christopher, 116
Collins, George, Ivii ; action-
at-law against Phineas, 18
Commission of Inquiry (1608),
Iviii et seq. ; procured by
Northampton, 32 ; its pro-
ceedings, 33-4, 38-70
(1613), Mansell objects
to. III
(1618), Ixxxiii, Ixxxix »
appointed, 118; Phineas
to assist, 119 ; works at
Chatham, 120 ; plot
against Phineas, 120 ; sur-
vey of Prince Royal, 124
(1626), xxxix n. ; sur-
vey of ships, 137 ; dissolved
138
Commissioners of the navy.
See Navy Commissioners
Committee of Public Safety,
xcix
Commons, House of, Ship-
wrights' Co., xxxvi, xxxviii
Cooke, William, master attend-
ant, 151, 153, 165, 166
Cooper, Mary. See Pett
Cooper, Mr., death, 117
Corbett, John, Ixi n., Ixxvii
Cork, 4, 5, 6
Cotton, Sir Robert, Iviii n.;
Ixi w., Ixiii, Ixxvii
Council. See Privy Council
Council of State, xxxviii
Cowes, 123, 148
Cranfield, Sir Lionel, 118
Crompton, Sir Thomas, 1x1 n.
Cromwell, Sir Oliver, visit to
Chatham, 29 ; re-names Ark
224
INDEX
CROMWELL
Royal as Anne Royal, 37 ;
mentioned, 89 ; Phineas
visits, 161
Crowe, Sir Sackville, treasurer
of the navy, 138
Dagenham, 19, 20
Dal ton, William, 140
Dartford, 112
Dartmouth, 205
Dawes, John, 56
Day, Jonas, 55 n.
Deal, 170
Dearslye, John, 124, 145 n.
Denmark, King of (Christian
IV), visit to Chatham, 28 ;
visit to Woolwich and
Chatham, 114
Deptford, 80-112, 144
Deptford Dockyard, xlvii,
Ixxxiii ; site, i ; Golden
Lion and Swiftsure docked
at, 29 ; Red Lion launched,
68 ; mentioned, 84 ; Happy
Entrance and Reformation
built, 121 ; Antelope docked,
134 ; St. Denis at, 146 ;
launch of Henrietta Maria
in presence of King and
Queen, 149 ; James launched,
154
Deptford Strond, derivation
of name, i
Diggens, Nicholas, 56 and n.,
57 «•
Ditton Park, 143
Doderidge, Sir John, Ixi n.
Doncaster, 161
Dorset, Earl of, commissioner
of Admiralty, 155
Dover, 25, 172 ; castle and
pier, 116; road, 132, 135;
town and castle, 169
ENGLAND
Downs, the, Ixxxiv, 116, 123,
126, 133, 135, 169, 170
Drake, Sir Francis, 6
Drown devil, 71 «.
Dublin, visit to, 5 ; Divelinge,
5 n.
Duck, David, shipwright, Iviii ;
friend and neighbour, 19 ;
yard at GiUingham, 24 ;
chooses trees at East Bere,
28 ; inquiry at Woolwich,
57 ; mentioned, 93
Duckett, Sir George, possessor
of the MS., ix
Duller, 94 n.
Dunkirk, pirate, 16 ; men-of-
war, 130
Dunwich, xlvi
Durham, 159, 160, 161
— Bishop of, xcviii, 160
Dymocke, Thomas, 178, i^t,
Earl Marshal, xxxvi
East Bere, 27, 28
East Country Merchants, xxxvi
j East India Company, Ixxxiii
I East India Dock, 163
I Edisbury, Kenrick, 150 ; in-
I forms against Phineas and
SirH. Palmer, 153, 155 ; sur-
I veyor of navy, 155, 1O5
I Edmondes, Michael, 56
I Ehzabeth, Princess, mentioned,
76, 81, 162 «. ; visit to Wool-
wich, 77 ; marriage and festi-
vities, 102-3 ; transporta-
tion to Holland, 103-10 ;
at Margate, 108 ; lands at
Flushing, 109 ; at Middel-
burg, no
Ehzabeth, Queen, 10, 18, 60
Elye, John, 57
England, 177, 178, 179
INDEX
225
ERITH
Erith, 123, 167
Essex, Earl of, Phineas desires
to follow, 8
Etherington, Mr., 171
Eye, xliv
Fairlight, 126
Fareham, 144
Farnham, 145
Felton, John, 140
Feme, Sir John, 123
Fleming, Denis, Clerk of the
Acts, brown paper stuff, xc,
155
Fleming, Mrs., 152
Flim-flam, 39
Floor, of ship, 37
Flushing, 72, 109, no, in
Folly John Park, 143
Foxe, Captain Luke, cii, 159
France, 91
Frankly n, Rev. Mr., 138
Frating, xlviii
Frederick, Elector Palatine,
marriage to Lady Ehzabeth,
102 n,, 103 ; transporta-
tion to Holland, 103-10 ;
at Margate, 108 ; lands at
Flushing, 109
Freeman, Mr., sues Phineas for
debt, Ixxxvi, 139, 141
Fryer, Colonel Sir Thomas, 140
Fuller, Rev. Thomas, xlii
Fuller, Thomas, 56
Furring, Ixviii
Gad's Hill, 113
Gawdy, Sir Bassingbourn, xlv
Geare (Geere) Captain, 54, 107
Geere, Michael, 54 n.
Geere, William, 54 n.
GRKENHITHE
George, Prince of Denmark, xl
Gibbons, John, 139
Gibbons, William, mate and
purser of Resistance, 26 ;
master, 78 ; North-west
Passage, cii, 97
Gibraltar, 123
Giles, Captain Edward, captain
I of Spy, 122 ; mentioned, 133,
I 135
I Gillingham, Iviii, 17, 24, 94, ,
i 104, 105. Ill, 125, 151, 153
Glemham, Edward, captain, 4
Goddard, Henry, master ship-
wright, xxvi, xcix, 144, 150 ;
builds Henrietta Maria, 149
Gofton, Sir Francis, 119
Gondomar, Count of, 129
Gonson, Benjamin, 3 ».
Goodale, Edvrard, master car-
penter of Gallion Constance, 4
Goodwin, John, master attend-
ant, 150
Goodwin, John, professoi of
mathematics, 14
Gore, The, 85, 123
Gore End Road, 91
Grantham, 161
Grass, 127
Graves, Thomas. See Greaves,
John
Gravesend, 21, 26, 85, 87, 89,
90, 91, 93. 95. 99, III. 113,
114, 116, 123, 148, 168, 169,
171
— ferry, 162
Greaves, John, report on Prince
Royal, Ixxv ; the Commis-
sion of Inquiry, 33 ; inquiry
before James at Woolwich,
55 ; survey of Prince, 124 ;
worm at Portsmouth, 145 n. ;
mentioned, 183
Greenhithe, 20, 167, 168
226
INDEX
GREENWICH
Greenwich, school at, 2 ; Court
at, 14 ; inquiry at, 68 ; Park,
126 ; mentioned, 25, 82,
84, 91, 95; 98, III, 142, 148,
157, 166
Grene, Ralph atte, xvi
Grent, John, 196
Grif&n, John, 116
Griffin, Robert, 116
Greville, Sir Fulke (Lord
Brooke), treasurer of the
navy, Ivi, Ixv ; disfavour of,
II, 15, 17; favour of, 18;
chancellor of the exchequer,
117 ; plots against Phineas,
126
Groyne (Corufia), Ix, 25, 26
Guildford, 151
Guisborough, 159
Gunfleet, iii, 126, 169
Gunter, Edmund, xci n.
Halfway tree, 87
Hamilton, Marquis of, 126, 146
Hamon, Christopher, 116
Hampton Court, 92, 127, 136,
141, 157, 167, 171
Hampton, Thomas, 57
Handcroft, John, boatswain
of Prince Royal, 136
Harling, xlv
harten, 106
Harwich, xlvii, 151, 152, 153,
154, 158, 172 n.
Hawkridge, William, cousin,
cii ; 116, journey to Ports-
mouth, 151 ; Arctic explora-
tion and capture by pirates,
151 n.
Hawkridge (niece), 120
Hawkyns, Sir John, last
voyage, 6
Head, John, 178
HERBERT
Hedger, William, 183
' Hendon, 28
I Henrietta Maria, Queen, trans-
portation to England, 135 ;
I launch of ship named after
I her, 149 ; attempted launch
of Sovereign, 165 ; visits
ship, 167
! Henry VHI, shipwrights under,
i xvii ; annuity granted, xx
I Henry, Prince, Ixvi ; small
I vessel for, 21 ; visits ship,
21 ; receives Phineas as liis
I servant, 23 ; visit to
' Chatham, 29 ; model pre-
sented to, 31 ; visit to
Woolwich, 34-6 ; inquiry
before James at Woolwich,
' 52, 61, 62 ; encouragement
of Phineas, 50, 60 ; satis-
faction at result of inquir3^
66 ; launch of Red Lion, 68 ;
pardons Waymouth, 75 ;
feast and tournament at St.
James's, 76 ; visit to Wool-
wich, 76, 77 ; gives Phineas
a buck, 78-9 ; launch of
Prince Royal, 81-4 ; visit
to, 86 ; visit to Chatham,
88-90 ; to Gravesend, 90 ;
dissatisfaction at survey
made at Chatham, 92 ;
proposal to build ships in
Ireland, 95 ; pinnace for, 96 ;
his trust in Phineas, 97 ;
intention to provide for
him, 98 ; sickness and
death, 100 ; funeral, loi .*
mentioned, 25, 27, 63, 72,
73. 75. 87. 174
Hep worth, xlv
Herbert, Sir Arnold, 121
Herbert, Philip. Sec Mont-
gomery
INDEX
237
HERBERT
Herbert, William. See Pem-
broke
Heyward, Samuel, 122
Heywood, Thomas, xlii
Highwood Hill, 9, 10, 17, 19, 20,
28, 117
Hobart, Sir Henr^% Ixi n.
Hodierne, John, 164
Hoggekyns, John, xvi
Holborn, Robert, shipwright,
xxi
Holder, xvi, xix
Holderness, Earl of, 127
Holding, John, timber keeper
at Chatham, 15
Hole Haven, 93, 169
Holland, no
Holland, Earl of, 146
HoUiday, William, 55 w.
HoUond, John, c
Hone, Dr., 14, 16
Hopton, xliv
Horsleydown, 178
Howard, Charles. See Notting-
ham
Howard, Henry. See North-
ampton
Howard (Lord) of Effingham.
See Nottingham
Howard, Lord Thomas, lord
chamberlain, requests James
to restrain Phineas from
quarrelling with the in-
formers, 65 ; mentioned, 23
Howard, Lord William, Vice-
Admiral in Anne Royal, 105
Howell, Rev. Mr., assists Phin-
eas to enter Emmanuel Col-
lege, 2
Hudson, Henry, Hudson's
Strait, Ixx, ciii ; North-west
Passage, 95 n.
Hull, 205
Huntingdon, 161
JAMBS
Income, 9 n.
Ingram, Sir Arthur, i6i
Inquiry, into case of Prince
Royal before James I at
Woolwich, 52-68 ; into
abuses in the navy at Green-
wich, 68-70. See also Com-
missions of Inquiry
Ipswich, 19, 178, 205 ; Angel
Inn, 151 ; Greyhound Inn,
162 ; shipwrights of, xxxvi
Ireland, building ships in, 95 ;
mentioned, 133, 136
Ireland, George, 55
Isackson, Paul, 207
Isackson, Richard, ship-painter,
142, 151
Jackson, George. See Duckett
Jackson, Sir Robert, 142
James I, mentioned, Ixvi, 45,
50, 72, 75. 99. 121. 125;
proclamation of, 19 ; at
Tower, 21 ; journey by
water to Parliament, 25 ;
visit to ships at Chatham,
24, 29 ; model of great ship,
32 ; story of the ravens at
Lisbon, 32 ; Northampton's
inquiry, 32 ; Nottingham
delivers Phineas' letter, 42 ;
orders investigation at Wool-
wich, 42 ; report, 46 ;
Northampton complains, 47 ;
resolves on personal inquiry,
at Woolwich, 47, 51 ; direc-
tions to Phineas, 48 ; surveys
Prince Royal and opens in-
quiry, 52 ; conducts the
inquiry, Ixxxi, 58, 61 ;
speech at conclusion, 62 ;
thanks Northampton, 61 ;
censures the informers, 63';
228
INDEX
JAMES
encourages Phineas, 63 ;
clears and commends Not-
tingham, 64 ; acknow-
ledges Nottingham's ser-
vices, 65 ; charges Phineas
not to quarrel with the
informers, 66 ; attitude to
Phineas during inquiry, 67 ;
launch of Red Lion, 68 ;
inquiry at Greenwich into
abuses in the navy, 68-70 ;
launch of East India Co.'s
ships, 75-6 ; feast and tour-
nament at St. James's, 76 ;
visit to Prince Royal at
Woolwich, 77 ; launch of
Prince Royal, 80-2 ; im-
prisons Mansell in Marshal-
sea, III ; concern at sick-
ness of Phineas, 113 ; visits
Woolwich, 114; commands
Phineas to assist Commis-
sioners (161 8), 119 ; gives
Phineas blank patent for
baronetcy, ciii, 121 ; names
the Happy Entrance and
Reformation, 121 ; Phineas
takes leave of, 126 ; visits
fleet at Portsmouth, 126 ;
death of, 134
James II, warrant to Ship-
wrights Co., xxxix
Jenkins, Thomas, 57, 85, 86,
c- 183
Jobson, Humfrey, 197
Johnson, Thomas, 56
Jones, WiUiam, 56
Jordan, Edward, 56, 57 n.
Jordon, Edmund, 183
Kech, John, xvi
Keling, Edward, xxxviii
Kellie, Earl of, 127
LIMEHOUSE
Kelm, Wilham de, xvi
Kent, 151
Keymer, Mr., mediates be-
tween Waymouth and
Phineas, 72-3
King, John, master attendant,
master of Flemish ship, 9 ;
Prince Royal inquiry, 56 ;
captain of Mathew, 85, 86;
master of Prince Royal, 86,
104 ; master of Rainbow,
130 ; mentioned, 89, 91, 93,
97. 99, 115
King, Wilham, assists Phineas,
5
King's Bench, Court of, xxxvi
Kingston, 127 171, 172
La Boderie, Sieur de, French
Ambassador, visit to Prince
Royal, 79
Lambeth, 22, 127, 140
Landguard Point, 152
Launching, ceremony at, 81,
83
Lawrence, William, xc
Legatt, John, clerk of the check
at Chatham, the Commission
of Inquiry, 34 ; inquiry into
abuses at Greenwich, 69 ;
Prince Henry stays at his
house, 88 ; dinner at, 99 ;
Nottingham stays at, 105,
III ; mentioned, 89, 98
Legatt, Mrs., 122
Leigh, 91
Lennox, Duke of, 167
Levant, voyage to, 5
Leveson, Sir Richard, Ix
Lewes, 151
Light horseman, 91 «.
Limehouse, model built at,
7 ; yard at, 7, 8, 24 ; house
INDEX
229
LIMEHOUSE
at, 9, 10, 13, 17, 19 ; men-
tioned, 21, 27, 178
Lindsey, Earl of, 143
Lisbon, visit in Resistance,
lix, 25 ; ravens of St.
Vincent, 32
Lizard, 25
London, mentioned, 5, 91,
93, loi, 102, 126, 127,
136, 137, 139, 151. 161,
171 ; Algiers committee of
merchants, Ixxxiv, 122 ; All
Hallows, Barking, 16 ;
Birchin lane, 5 ; Bridge, 21 ;
Compter in the Poultry,
139 ; Dolphin, 16 ; Fleet
prison, 139, 141 ; Friday
Street, 76 ; Gresham College,
59 ; Inns of Court, 103 ;
King's Head, 31, 99, 112 ;
Lord Mayor, 205 ; Marshal-
sea, XXXV, Ivii, 1 1 1 ; Mincing
lane, 144, 154 ; Paul's wharf,
22 ; plague, 19 ; St. Dun-
stan's church, Ixxxvii ; St.
James's, 50 ; St. Mary
Overy, 103 ; shipwrights,
vide sub voce ; Somerset
House, 114 ; Three Cranes,
73 ; Tower, 35 ; Tower
Street, Ixxxvii, 79
Long Sand Head, 108
Love, Captain Thomas, 125,
133
Lydiard, Hugh, clerk of the
check at Woolwich, xci n. ;
Joseph and Phineas lodge
with, 9 ; the C ommission
of Inquiry, 33 ; Joseph Lorn
in his house, 34; sal te
in his garden, 35, 36;
banquet in parlour, 36 ;
Phineas and friends dine
in his parlour, 37 ; North-
MANSELL
ampton at his house during
inquiry, 51 ; inquiry before
James 55 ; Prince Henry
at his house. 81
Mainwaring, Sir Arthur, pur-
chase of Resistance, 96,
Mainwaring, Sir Henry, pur-
chases Resistance, 96 ; pin-
nace for Lord Zouch, 116,
117 ; csLptSLinoi Prince Royal,
131
Malaga, Ixxxiv, 123
Man-of-war, private, 4 n.
Mansell, Lady, 37, 67
Mansell, Sir Robert, xlii, lix,
Ix, Ixi, Ixvi, xci ; treasurer
- of the navy, 24 ; part ownsr
of Resistance, 25 ; purchases
trees, 27 ; the Commission
of Inquiry, 34, 38 ; plot
revealed to, 40 ; inquiry
before James at Woolwich,
49, 51, 57' 67; inquiry
at Greenwich, 69 ; launch
of Prince Royal, 80, 82, 83 ;
sails to Chatham in, 86-7 ;
Prince Henry's visit to
Chatham, 88-90 ; sham sea-
fight, 102 ; committed to
Marshalsea, iii ; attends
King of Denmark on visit
to Woolwich and Chatham,
114; entertains Archbishop
of Canterbury, 115 ; visits
Chatham with Buckingham,
120 ; expedition against
Algiers, Ixxxiv, 122 ; names
the Leopard at Woolwich,
157 ; launch and naming
of the Sovereign of the Seas,
166-7 ; mentioned, 27, 28,
37» 68, 79
230
INDEX
MAR
Mar, Earl of, 89
Margate, Lady Elizabeth at,
108 ; road, 108 ; mentioned,
92, 169
Marie de Medicis, Queen Mother
of France, 172
Marsh, James, 183
Marten, Sir Henry, judge of
Admiralty, xxxv, xxxvii
Mason, Captain, 140
Masters attendant, 102, 119,
145, 166
Maurice, Prince of Orange, on
board Prince Royal, 109
May, John, 183
Med way, Ixxix, 152
Melcheburn, Thomas de, xvi
Melcheburn, WilUam de, xvi
Meriall, Michael, 56
Meritt, Hugh, master attend-
ant, the Commission of In-
quiry, 33 ; inquiry at Wool-
wich, 54 ; master of Anne
Royal, 106
Meritt, Richard, Uii ; report
on Prince Royal, Ixxv ; pur-
veyor in forest of Shotover,
30
Mer>'ett. See Meritt
Middleburg, no
Middleton, David, captain of
Expedition, 91
Middleton, Sir Henry, Prince
Royal inquiry at Woolwich,
54
Milbourne, Rev. Dr., 99, 100
Miller, Captain, 54
Mins, Jarvis, 19
Minster, church, 94
Models, for Lord Treasurer, 7 ;
for John Trevor, 14 ; for
Prince Henry, 31 ; James in-
tends to compare it with
Prince Royal, 32 ; upon
NICHOLLS
wheels for Prince Charles,
156 ; of Sovereign of the
Seas, 157
Mompesson, Sir Giles, waste of
timber, 118
Montgomery, Earl of, 127
Moore, Captain, 54
Moptye, John, xlvii n.
Morgan, Captain, Ix, 25
Morice, Roger, master attend-
ant, 108
Mould, 95 n.
Moyle, Captain, 151
Murray, Sir David, 31
Navy (abuses in), inquiry
moved by Mr. Wiggs, 10 ;
Northampton's inquiry, 32 ;
see also Commissions of
Inquiry
Navy Commissioners, xxxix, xl,
Ixxx, Ixxxv, Ixxxix, xcviii,
c, 136 ; their actions ques-
tioned, 137
Needles, The, 123
Ne wark-upon-Tren t , 161
Newcastle, carvel, 14 ; men-
tioned, 158, 159, 180, 205
New Forest, 118
Newman, Rev. Mr., marries
Rachel Pett, 2
Newman, Richard, 186
Newport, Captain Christopher,
Prince Royal inquiry at
Woolwich, 54 ; master of
Centaur, 85 ; mentioned,
56 n.
Nicholas, Edward, Ixxxvii, 211
Nicholls, Ann, Phineas meets,
9 ; and marries, 10 ; sick-
ness, 17 ; birth of John, 17 ;
of Henry, 18 ; at Highwood
Hill, 19; birth of Richard,
INDEX
231
NICHOLLS
28 ; of Joseph, 34 ; of
Peter, 78 ; of Ann, 100 ; sick-
ness and birth of Phineas,
115 ; of Mary and Martha,
117 ; sickness, 118 ; birth of
Phineas, 120 ; birth of
Christopher, 121 ; death,
137 ; mentioned, 20, 77,
85» 93. iii> 113. 123, 124,
127, 132
Nicholls, John, death, 76
NichoUs, Katharine, 78 ; death
of, 136
Nicholls, Richard, father-in-
law, 10; death of, 117
Noise, band of musical instru-
ments, 20, 21, 34
Noman's Land, 132
Nonsuch, 78
Nore, 87, 150 ; head, 21, 91
Norreys, Captain Thomas, the
Commission of Inquiry, 33 ;
Prince Royal inquiry at
Woolwich, 54 ; inquiry into
abuses at Greenwich, 70 ;
Commissioner of Inquiry
(161 8), Ixxxiii, 119 ; Phineas
under him, 120
Northallerton, 161
North America, cii
Northampton, Earl of, Ixx,
Ixxvii ; inquiry into abuses
in the navy, Ixi, 32 ; his
book of reformation, Ixiii,
37 ; combination against
Phineas, 38, 43 ; result of
inquiry reported, 46 ; com-
plains to James, 47 ; in-
quiry before James at Wool-
wich, 51, 52, 57 ; James
thanks him, 62 ; discontent
at result of inquiry, 67 ,
inquiry at Greenwich, 69 ;
attempts to reopen inquiry
\ NOTTINGHAM
into Prince Royal, 69 ; Way-
mouth relates intrigue, 74 ;
the Anne Royal, 107 ; im-
prisonment of Mansell, 1 1 1 ;
death, 114
North Foreland, 71, 108, 116,
126, 169
Northumberland, Duke of,
Lord High Admiral, xxxv ;
Phineas and Peter visit,
xcix, 172
North - west Passage, Way-
mouth, Ixx, ciii, 71 ; Button,
95, 97. "2
Nottingham, Earl of. Lord High
Admiral, xlix, Ivi, lix ; com-
mission of inquiry, Ixi ;
house at Deptford, 7 ; ex-
pedition to Cadiz, 7 ;
Phineas becomes his ser-
vant, 8 ; gives employment,
10 ; gives appointment at
Chatham, 15 ; order to build
small vessel for Prince, 20 ;
visits ship, 22 ; christens it
as Disdain, 23 ; presents
Phineas to Prince Henry, 23 ;
grants Phineas reversion of
master shipwright, 23 ; sup-
ports Phineas against Baker
and Bright, 24 ; journey to
Spain, 25 ; makes Phineas
master shipwright on death
of Joseph, 27 ; model for
Prince Henry, Ixvi, 31 ;
the Commission of Inquiry,
33 ; plot revealed to, 41 ;
delivers Phineas' letter to
James, 42 ; inquiry at Wool-
wich, Ixxiv, 42 ; ordered to
arrange for inquiry before
James at Woolwich, 48 ;
consults on course to be
taken, 49 ; inquiry at Wool-
232
INDEX
NOTTINGHAM
wich, 51, 57 ; receives James
there, 52 ; cleared and com-
mended by James, 64 ;
speech in reply, 64 ; brings
Phineas to take leave of
James, 66 ; returns to
Whitehall, 67 ; appointment
of master shipwrights to
sur\ey the materials for
Prince Royal, 68 ; orders for
apprehension of Waymouth,
72 ; pardons liim, 75 ;
launch of Prince Royal, 81-3 ;
survey at Chatham, 92 ;
arrangements for transport
of Lady EUzabeth, 10 1-3 ;
sham fight, 102 ; commands
fleet, 103 ; visits Chatham,
104-5 ; favour to Phineas
during voyage, 105 ; Anne
Royal aground, 106 ; at
Margate, 108 ; at Flushing,
no; Middelburg, no; at
Chatham, in ; deputation
of shipwrights, 112 ; con-
cern at sickness of Phineas,
113; visits Woolwich and
Chatham with King of Den-
mark, 114; Phineas takes
leave, 127 ; mentioned, 20,
21, 28. 29, 32, 40, 50, 70, 73,
103, 112, 116, 176
Nunn, Rev. Thomas, xlviii ;
marries mother of Phineas,
2 ; sisters and brother left
in his care, 11 ; manslaugh-
ter of Abigail and trial, 1 1 ;
conviction and pardon, 12 ;
death, 12
Oakham Ness, 150, 154
Ooze edge, 94
Orlop, 79 w.
PERIN
Ortegal, Cape, 128
Osbom, Richard xxi
Osborne, Sir John, 119
Oxford, 142
Paglesham, 8
Palmer, Henry, jun., 151
Palmer, Lady. 151
Palmer, Sir Henry, comptroller
of navy, mentioned, liv,
Ivii, Ixiii, 15, 27 ; the Com-
mission of Inquiry, 34 ;
launch of Prince Royal, 80,
83, 84 ; captain of Rainbow,
130 ; journey to Portsmouth,
151 ; brown paper stuff,
Ixxxix, 153, 155 ; release
of Phineas from arrest, 154 ;
Phineas visits, 170
Parker, George, 151
Parkins, Sir Charles, Ixi w.
Parry, Sir Thomas, Ixi n.
Pay, Rev. Dr., 99 ; chaplain
to Lord William Howard,
105
Peers, House of, xxxviii
Pembroke, Earl of, lord
chamberlain, 126
Pennington, Sir John, dimen-
sions of Royal Sovereign, xci ;
appointment as Lord High
Admiral, xcix ; captain of
Vanguard, 135 ; Rochelle
expedition, 138 ; release of
Phineas from prison, 139 ;
assists Phineas in prison,
141 ; sells baronetcy for him,
142 ; Admiral of fleet in
Downs, 169, 170
Pepys, Samuel, transcribes the
MS., vii, ix, X, civ; men-
tioned, xl, liii, xcvii
Perin, Robert, 19
INDEX
233
PETRE
Petre, Lord, mentioned, 34
Pett, early instances of the
name, xliii ; family of, xlii ;
genealogical tables, 1, li
Pett, Abigail, killed by step-
father, 12
Pett, Ann (wife). See NichoUs
Pett, Ann (daughter), birth of,
100
Pett, Ann (wife of Christopher),
168
Pett, Arthur, 56
Pett, Christopher, xcvii ; birth
of, 121 ; voyage to Harwich,
15 1» 153 '> in- north of Eng-
land, 161
Pett, Elizabeth (mother). See
Thornton j
Pett, Elizabeth (sister), ill- I
treatment by stepfather, 11; j
at Limehouse, 13 ; death, 13 i
Pett, EUzabeth (widow of
Peter), arrest of Phineas for
debt due to her, Ixxxvi,
154
Pett, Henry, birth, 18, 28;
death, 112
Pett, John (great-grandfather), j
xliv, xlvi j
Pett, John (son), birth, 17, 28 ; !
voyage to Spain, 125 ; re- '
turn, 132 ; goes to Ireland,
133 ; married, 136, 138 ;
captain of merchant ship,
137 ; captain of Sixth Whelp,
138 ; takes leave, 140 ; lost
at sea, 140-1
Pett, Joseph, master ship-
wright, grant to, xxiv ;
mentioned, xlvii, xlviii, liii ;
succeeds his father, Peter,
4 ; unldndness to Phineas
and Noah, 4 ; loan to
Phineas, 5 ; sheathes De-
PETT
fiance, 6 ; employs Phineas,
6 ; rebuilds Trhimph, 6 ;
yard at Limehouse, 7, 8 ;
employs Phineas on Elizabeth
Jonas, 9 ; lack of assist-
ance from, 13, 15 ; reconcilia-
tion, 15 ; reversion of post to
Phineas, 23 ; wharf at Lime-
house, 24 ; death, burial at
Stepney, 27 ; mentioned, 174,
178
Pett, Joseph (son), birth, 34 ;
death, 136
Pett, Joseph (nephew), men-
tioned, 151, 153 ; his wife
mentioned, 158
Pett, Katharine. See Cole
Pett, Lydia, xlviii ; death,
76
Pett, Martha, birth of, 117;
married to John Hodieme,
164
Pett, Mary (sister), ill-treat-
ment by step-father, 12 ;
at Limehouse, 13 ; sickness,
14 ; death of husband, 117 ;
death, 137
Pett, Mary (daughter), birth
of, 117 ; death, 118
Pett, Mildred. See Byland
Pett, Noah, xlviii ; emigrates
to Ireland, 4 ; master in
Popinjay, 5 ; drowned at
Cork, 6
Pett, Peter (of Harwich), xliv,
xlvii
Pett, Peter (of Deptford),
master shipwright : grants to,
xxi, xxii, xxiii, xxiv ; grant
of arms, xliv, 218; father
of Phineas, i ; lodging at
Chatham, 2 ; death, 2 ;
ships built by, xlvii, Ixx ;
his children, Ixviii, 1
234
INDEX
PETT
Pett, Peter (of Wapping), xlii,
xlv, xlviii, Ixix ; death,
Ixxxvi ; assists his brother,
4, 5 ; woods at Paglesham,
8 ; purveyor in forest of
AUce Holt, 30 ; mentioned,
78, 113, 178, 183
Pett, Peter (son of Peter of
Wapping), voyage in Dis-
dain, 93 ; builds the Sixth
Whelp, 139 ; builds James,
154 ; mentioned, 120, 145 n.
Pett, Peter (the younger),
xlviii ; service as tutor, 12 ;
ill-treatment by father-in-
law, 12 ; lives at Limehouse,
13 ; clerk in Arches, 14 ;
death, 16
Pett, Peter (son), commissioner
at Chatham, ix ; Shipwrights'
Company, xxxvii, xxxix ;
rebuilds Prince Royal, Ixxxi ;
plan of Sovereign, cxvii ;
portrait, ci ; birth of,
78 ; builds Charles, 149 ;
voyage in Henrietta, 151 ;
arrangements for marriage,
152 ; journey to Wood-
bridge, 152 ; to build new
ship, 153 ; married to Mr.
Cole's daughter, 153 ; visit
to father at Chatham, 156 ;
builds Leopard at Wool-
wich, 156-7 ; sets out for
north of England. 158 ;
timber for Sovereign, 160 ;
return to Woolwich, 162 ;
on board Sovereign, 169,
accompanies father to King,
171 ; and Lord Admiral,
172
Pett, Phineas, the manuscript,
vii ; table of his relations,
1 ; of his family, li ; birth.
PETT
I ; school at Rochester, i ;
at Greenwich, 2 ; enters
Emmanuel College, 2 ; mis-
fortunes from his mother's
second marriage, 2 ; appren-
ticed as shipwright, 3 ;
serves under Mathew Baker,
3 ; ships as carpenter's mate
in the Constance, 4 ; assisted
by a stranger, 5 ; misery of
voyage, 5 ; lands in Ireland
and visits his uncle at Dublin
5 ; returns to London and
lodges with his brother Peter,
j 5 ; assistance of brother
Joseph, 5 ; employed on
I Defiance and Triumph, 6 ;
I employed by Baker on
Repulse, 7 ; instruction
I given by Baker, liii, 7 ;
j makes model for Burghley,
i 8 ; presented to Nottingham,
Ivi, 8 ; employed by Joseph,
8 ; courtship, 9 ; takes house
at Limehouse, 9 ; married
to Ann Nicholls, 10 ; un-
employed, 10 ; purveyor of
timber in Suffolk and Nor-
folk, II ; trouble over the
accounts, Ivi, 11 ; takes care
of his brother and sisters,
12 ; model made for Trevor,
14 ; studies mathematics,
14 ; appointed storekeeper
at Chatham, 15 ; reconciUa-
tion with Joseph, 15 ; takes
house at Chatham, 16;
nearly captured by Dun-
kirker, 16 ; assistant master
shipwright, 17 ; contractor
for victualling, 17 ; sued at
law for striking George
ColUns, Ivii, 18 ; undertakes
to fit out fleet, 18 ; voyage
INDEX
235
PETT
to Ipswich, 19 ; journey to
Highwood Hill, 19 ; works
on Answer, 20 ; his letter
to Baker, liii ; builds Disdain
for Prince Henry, 21 ;
voyage up the Thames, 21 ;
presented to Prince Henry,
23 ; granted reversion of
master shipwright's place,
xxvi, 23 173 ; builds Resist-
ance, 24 ; voyage to Spain
in her, Iviii, 25 ; returns
to Chatham, 26 ; journeys
to East Bere, 26, 28 ; suc-
ceeds Joseph as master ship-
wright despite opposition of
Stevens, xxv, 27 ; King of
Denmark visits Chatham,
29; works on Ark Royal
and Victory, Ixiv, 30 ;
journeys to Alice Holt and
Shotover, 30 ; elected master
of Shipwrights' Co., 30 ;
makes model for Prince
Henry, Ixvi, 31 ; interview
with James I, 32 ; Com-
mission of Inquiry (1608),
Ixi, 32 ; entertainment of
Prince Henry, 34 ; launch
of Anne Royal, 37 ; lays keel
of Prince Royal, 37 ; hostility
of other shipwrights, 38 ;
warned by Vicars, 38 ;
frustrates Waymouth, 40 ;
seeks help of Mansell and
Trevor, 40 ; and of Notting-
ham, 41 ; Nottingham visits
James, 42 ; inquiry ordered,
Ixxiv, 42 ; inquiry at Wool-
wich, Ixxv, 44 ; anger of
Northampton, 46 ; James
decides on personal inquiry,
47 ; support of Prince
Henry, 50 ; proceedings of
PETT
inquiry before James, Ixxxi,
51-66 ; James exonerates
him, 63 ; favoured by
James, 68 ; inquiry into
abuses at Greenwich, 69 ;
the case of the Resistance,
Iviii, 70 ; Waymouth appeals
to him, 73 ; displeasure of
Prince Henry, 75 ; feast at
St. James's, 76 ; Prince
Henry visits him, 76 ; the
Prince and James examine
the Prince Royal, 77 ;
visitors to the ship, 77 ;
survey of the navy, 78 ;
journey to Nonsuch, 78 ;
preparations for launching,
79 ; failure to launch, 81 ;
disappointment of James,
82 ; Prince Royal launched,
and named by Prince Henry,
83 ; removes from Woolwich
to Chatham, 85 ; Resistance
sails for the Straits, 85, 93 ;
embarks in Prince Royal,
and sails to Chatham, 86 ;
journey to London, 87 ;
visit of Prince Henry to
Chatham, 88 ; takes leave
at Gravesend, 90 ; search for
Arabella Stuart, 91 ; on
board Resistance in storm,
91 ; reproved by Prince
Henry for survey of navy,
92 ; voyage in Disdain, 93 ;
at Woolwich, 94 ; choice of,
ship for N.W. Passage, 95 ;
takes leave of Button, 96 ;
builds Phoenix, 96 ; sells
Resistance, 96 ; visit to
Prince Henry, 97 ; visit of
Prince's suite, 98 ; master
of Shipwrights' Co., 99 ;
portrait commenced, ci, 100 ;
236
INDEX
PETT
grief at death of Prince 1
Henry, loi ; journey to '
London and preparations for
marriage and transport of
Lady Elizabeth, 102 ; takes
lodging in Westminster, 102 ;
sham sea fight, 103 ; pre-
paration of fleet,' 104 ; em-
barks in Prince Royal, 105 ;
Prince Royal put aground,
106 ; sails for Netherlands,
109 ; visits Flushing and
Middelburg, no; returns
to England, in; takes over
Merhonour on death of
Baker, 112 ; falls from horse,
112 ; taken ill on journey
to Westminster, 112 ; re-
turns to Woolwich, 113 ;
fall in Merhonour, 114 ;
royal visits to Woolwich and
Chatham, 114; removes to
Chatham, 115 ; builds
Destiny for Raleigh, Ixxxviii,
115, 117; purchases land
at Chatham, 116 ; master
of Shipwrights' Co., 116;
builds pinnace for Lord
Zouch and sails to Dover,
116; employed in New
Forest, 118; Commission of
Inquiry, (1618), Ixxxiii, 119;
placed under Norreys, 119;
makes dock at Chatham,
120 ; visit of Buckingham,
120 ; James gives him patent
for baronetcy, 121 ; builds
pinnaces for Algiers Ex-
pedition, Ixxxiii, 122 ; sails
to Malaga, 123 ; returns
to Chatham, 124 ; Prince
Royal prepared for voyage
to Spain, 125; letter to
Buckingham 212 ; sails to
PETT
Santander, Ixxxviii, 126 ;
Prince Charles at Santander,
128 ; returns, 130 ; at Scilly
Islands, 131 ; lands at Dover,
132 ; presented with gold
chain and attends Prince
to the Parliament, 133 ;
colhers fitted as men-of-war,
133 ; storm in the Downs,
133 ; visited by Charles I,
134 ; sails to Boulogne to
fetch Henrietta Maria, 135 ;
plans for small ships, 136 ;
appointed on Commission of
Inquiry (1626), 137 ; death
of wife, 137 ; married to
Mrs. Yardley, 138 ; building
of Lion's Whelps, 138 ;
arrested for debt, Ixxxvi,
139 ; Charles I gives him
patent for baronetcy, 139 ;
murder of Buckingham, 140 ;
returns from Portsmouth to
Chatham, 140 ; imprisoned
in the Fleet, 141 ; repairs
dock at Woolwich, 142 ; falls
from horse, 142 ; surrenders
house at Chatham, visits
various forests, 142 ; ap-
pointed assistant principal
of&cer, 144 ; at Portsmouth,
144 ; taken ill on journey
home to Woolwich, 145 ;
appointed a principal officer,
145 ; Charles attends launch
at Woolwich, 146 ; removes
to Chatham, 147 ; Charles
visits Chatham, 147 ; at
Portsmouth, 148 ; returns
to Chatham, 149 ; enter-
tains Charles at Woolwich,
149 ; returns to Chatham
in Henrietta, 150 ; journeys
to Portsmouth, 150 ; returns
INDEX
237
PETT
to Chatham, 151 ; sails to
Harwich in Henrietta, 151 ;
at Woodbridge, 152 ; re-
turns to Chatham, 153 ; sale
of brown paper stuff, Ixxxix,
153, ^55 > at Harwich, 153 ;
Woodbridge, 154 ; return
to Chatham, 154 ; arrested
at instance of sister-in-law,
Ixxxvi, 154 ; model for
Prince Charles, 156 ; Charles
commissions him to build
a great ship, xci, 156 ; model
of the Sovereign, 157 ; re-
ceives arrears of pension,
157 ; voyage to Yorkshire,
159 ; visits Foxe, 159 ; at
Newcastle, 159 ; selects trees
in Chopwell and Brancepeth,
160 ; leaves Durham for
London, 161 ; visits Cam-
bridge, 161 ; returns to
Chatham, 162 ; keel of
Sovereign laid, 162 ; assists
in salvage of Anne Royal,
163 ; Charles visits Wool-
wich, 162, 163 ; death of
wife, Susan, 164 ; failure
to launch Sovereign, 165 ;
launched, 166 ; royal visit
to ship, 167-8 ; embarks
in Sovereign, 169 ; in the
Downs, 169 ; disembarks
at Deal and returns to
Chatham, 170 ; death of
wife, Mildred, 171 ; visits
Charles, 171 ; visits North-
umberland, 172 ; the last
years, xcix ; his death, c ;
character and abiUty, ci ;
interest in arctic exploration,
cii ; Virginia Co., ciii ; in-
come, ciii ; motive in writing
the autobiography, civ
PORTSMOUTH
Pett, Phineas (seventh child),
birth of, 115; death, 118
Pett, Phineas (tenth child),
birth of, 120
Pett, Phineas (son of John),
birth of, 141
Pett, Phineas (grandson), lends
Pepys the MS., ix
I Pett, Sir Phineas, ci
i Pett, Rachel, marries Rev. Mr.
Newman, 2 ; death, 3 .
Pett, Richard (son of Peter),
I xlviii
i Pett, Richard (son), birth of,
I 28 ; mentioned, 127, 140 ;
i foreman at Chatham, 137 ;
I accompanies father to prison,
141 ; death, 143
Pett, Thomas, of Skipton, xliv,
xlv
Pett, William, master ship-
wright, xxiii, xlvii
Pett, WiUiam, xUx n.
Pett, William (nephew), 120
Pette, William, xlvi
Phillips, Sir Edward, Ixi n.
Phineas, derivation of name,
hi, I
Pickasee, Mr., victualling at
Chatham, 17
Picks, Willidm, 183
Pitt, William, 119
Plague, 19
Plats, 95
Plumstead, 77
Plymouth, 203 ; Sound, 128,
214
Popham, Sir John, lord chief
justice, 13
Pole, William de la, xvi
Pope, Mr., Ivii
Portsmouth, xxi, xlvi, 126,
127, 132, 138, 140, 151 ;
Dock, 144 ; examination of
238
INDEX
PORTSMOUTH
harbour, 144 ; worm at,
145 ; Queen's Head, 148 ;
King at, 148 ; survey at,
150
Pory, John, mediates between
Waymouth and Phineas,
72-3
Price, Rev. Dr., loi -
Prime, Thomas, 57, 178
Principal Officers of the Navy,
81, 99, 102, 119, 138-9, 142,
145, 147, 148 ; Phineas,
created assistant to, 143 ;
meet in Mincing Lane, 144,
146
Privy Council, inquiry before
James at Woolwich, 52 ;
release of Phineas from
prison, 139 ; mentioned,
Ixxxiv, 29, 68, 72, 76, 81,
122, 138
Prytly, 108
Puniett, Thomas, 85, 86, 123
Pyham, Rev. John, 120, 136
QUEENBOROUGH, 25, 88, 89,
9I1 93, 105. 106, 126, 158
Rabye, Nicholas, 178
Radclyffe, Francis, 121
Rainham, 16
Ralegh, Sir Walter, Ixxxviii ;
Phineas contracts to build
Destiny, 115 ; launched, 116 ;
mentioned, ii6, 139, 211
Rammekcns, no
Ratcliff, xxxiv, 20, 77, 91, 118,
139, 178 ; Phineas lodges at,
loi ; Mercury and Spy built
at, 122
Red riff (Rotherhithe), com-
l^ pany of shipwrights, xxxii ; I
ST. JOHN
court of shipwrights, 40 ;
common hall, 116; men-
tioned, 178, 181, 182, 205
Red Sand, 123
Redwood, Thomas, 54
Reynolds, Henry, appointed to
survey materials for Prince
Royal, 68
Reynolds, John, master gunner
of Prince Royal, 86, 90, 97,
107 ; mentioned, 98 ; master
gunner of England, 133
Rich, Henry. See Holland
Richmond, 31, 92, 97, 98
Rickman, Robert, 54
Rochelle, ships for expedition,
138 ; mentioned, 140
Rochester, Free School, 2 ;
Boley Hill, 16, 20 ; pro-
clamation at, 19 ; college of,
116 ; St. Margaret's Church,
^138 ; Crown Inn, 147 ; King
at, 148 ; mentioned, 99,
100, 115, 205
Rock, Thomas, ship-painter, ci,
19, 100
Rogers, Thomas, xlvii n.
Rotherhithe. See Redriff
Rupert, Prince, 162
Russell, James, 178
Russell, Mrs., 120
Rutland, Earl of. Admiral of
fleet fetching Prince Charles
from Spain, 127, 131
Rye, 26
Sackville, Edward. See Dor-
set
St. Helens, 132
St. James's Palace, 23, 88, 100,
loi, 132, 156
St. John, Captain Sir William,
88
INDEX
■2Z9
ST. MARY
St. Mary Creek, 87, 105, 125,
126, 154, 171
St. Vincent, ravens of, 32
St. Vincent, Cape, 123
Salisbury, Earl of, lord high
treasurer, advises James not
to discharge men working on
Prince Royal, 48 ; the in-
quiry before James at Wool-
wich, 57 ; mediates on behalf
of Waymouth, 72, 74 ; search
for Arabella Stuart, 91
Salmon, R., 216
Sandis, Edwyn, xcix
Sandwich, 135, 136
San Lucar, lix, 26
Santa Maria (Cape), 26
Santander, 26, 125, 128, 130
Scarborough, 159
Scavelmen, 82 n.
Scilly Islands, mentioned, 130 ;
Prince Charles lands, 131 ;
stays in Castle Hugh, 132 ;
leaves, 132
Scotland, xlvi
Scotland Yard, 156
Seames, The, 141
Seaton, Colonel Sir John, xcix
Seville, 26
Sharpe, Robert, 57, 93
Sheerness, 87, 94
Sheldon, Francis, clerk of check
at Woolwich, 153
Sheppey, Isle, 94
Ships, Shipwrights' Company
|. to examine, xxxii ; arma-
ment of, xxxii ; of Holland,
Ixxiii, 130 ; Flemish, 9 ;
Newcastle carvel, 14 ; Httle,
for the Prince, 21 ; pinnace
for the Prince, 96 ; for Lord
Zouch, 116; general survey,
119; ketch, 130; Dunkirk,
130. See also Models
SHIPS
Ships, named, merchant :
AUhea, 85
Archangel, Ixx
Centaur, 85
Constance, 4
Destiny, Ixxxvi, Ixxxviii, ciii,
54 n., 117, 211, 217
Discovery, Ixx, 95 w., 97 n.
Dolphin, 133
Expedition, 54 n., 91 n.
Godspeed, Ixx
Mathew, 85
Mercury, Ixxxiv, ciii, 122, 217
Peppercorn, 75, 76
Resistance, Iviii, Ixiii, Ixviii,
cii, 24-26, 70, 77, 78, 84,
85, 91-3. 95. 96, 217
Resolution, cii, 95 n., c^'j n.
Spy, Ixxxiv, ciii, 122, 217
jyade's Increase, 75, 76
Ships named, royal :
Achates, xlvii
Advantage, xlvii
Anne Royal {See also Ark
Royal), Ixiv, 34, 35, 37,
103, 105-7, 163
Answer, liii, Ixviii, 20, 24, 217
Antelope, 125, 133, 134, 213
Ark Royal, 21, 29, 30, 37, 217
Bear, Ixx, 25, 29
Bonaventure, 95
Britannia, ci
Charles, 149, 150, 164 n., 217
Convertive, Ixxxviii. See also
Destiny
Crane, Ivii
Defiance, xlvii, 6, 94-5, 112,
114, 115, 129, 217
Disdain, 23, 93, 102, 217
Dreadnought, 95
Elizabeth Jonas, Ixxx, 9, 10,
24, 29, 115
Foresight, lix, Ix
Fortune Pink, 156
240
INDEX
SHIPS
Ships, named, royal [cont.) :
Garland, 170
George, 213
Golden Lion, 29, 56 n.
Grace Dieu, xvii, xlvi
Greyhound, xlvii, 163, 217
Happy Enirafice, 121
Henrietta, 137, 151, 153, 217
Henrietta Maria, 149
Henri Grace d Dieu, xvii
James, 154
Leader baige, xxii
Leopard, 156, 157
L:o«, 103, 147
Lion barge, xxii
Lion's Whelps, 17, 138, 149
Maria, 137, 148, 217
Mary Rose, 215
Merhonour, Ixvii, 94, 95, 112,
114, 115, 217
Moon, xlvii, Ixviii, 17, 217
Phoenix, 96, 104, 217
Popinjay, 5
Primrose, 19
Prince Royal, Ixvi-lxxxii,
Ixxxix, civ, 37-68, 77,
79-87, 90, 99. 103-110,
114, 115, 119, 124-7, 134,
147, 207, 212, 214, 217
Rainbow, xlvii, 130
Red Lion {see also Golden
Lion), 68
Reformation, 121
Regent, xvii, xlvi
Repulse, Ivii, 6
Roebuck, 163, 217
5/. Denis, 146, 151 «.
S^ Es^n/, 138
5^. George, 125, 132
Sovereign of the Seas, ix,
xlii, Ixxix, xci-xcix, c, ci,
156, 162, 164-171,214. 217
Spy, 103
Swiftsure, xlvii, 29
SHORT
Ships, named, royal {cont.) :
Triumph, 6, 7, 115
Unicorn, Ixxx, 154
i Vanguard, 135, 142, 146
Victory, Ixiv, Ixvi, 29, 146
j Warspite, xxii
i Shipwright, master, origin of,
j XV ; rate of pay, xviii,
xxvii ; two classes, xxviii ;
mentioned, xxi, Ixiv, 95,
102, 145, 119
Shipwrights, early, xv ; scale
of pay, xix ; petition for
incorporation, xxix, 175 ;
Waymouth's criticisms of,
I Ixxi ; deputation to Lord
I High Admiral concerning
i arrears of pay, 112; Com-
j mission of Inquiry (161 8),
i 119 ; of Thames, 124 ; launch
I of Sovereign, 164
Shipwrights, Company of (in-
corporated), origin of, xxix ;
charter of 1605, xxix, 176 ;
charter of 161 2, xxx, 179 ; its
powers, xxxii ; opposition of
rivals, xxxiii ; parUament-
ary powers sought, xxxvii,
xxxviii, xl ; in difficulties,
xxxviii ; ceases to function,
xxxix ; surrenders charter
and attempts to obtain new
one, xxxix ; Phineas elected
master, 30, 99, 116; Court
at Redriff, 40
Shipwrights, Company of (Lon-
don), origin, xxxiii ; disputes
with incorporated company,
xxxiv ; exempted from its
jurisdiction, xxxv
Shoreham, 72, 151, 171
Shorn, xUii
Short, John, clerk of check at
Chatham, 171
INDEX
241
SHORT
Short, Mrs., 171
Shorten, 109 n., 127 n.
Shotover, 30, 142, 149, 153
Shrewsbury, Earl of, 89
Simonson, Martha, 20
Simonson, Mrs., 20, 115
Simonson, Nicholas, dock at
Ratcliff, 77 ; launch of
Prince Royal, 80 ; suicide,
118 ; mentioned, 9, 57, 178,
183
Sion House, 172
Skipton, xliv
Sluis, 109
Smith, Robert, messenger, 146
Smith, Sir Thomas, 118, 122,
126
Smith, Thomas, en., ci
Smyth, John, shipwright, xxi
Southampton, xlvii, 178, 205
South Sand Head, 169
Southwark, 103 n.
South wold, 10
Spain, voyage to, lix, Ixxxi,
Ixxxviii, 2, 125-32, 214
Spencer, Lawrence, boatswain
of Prince Royal, 86
Spicke, Mrs., 113
Spits, The, 108, 158
Stamford, 161
Starland, Mr., 147
Start, The, 26
Stephins, William, shipwright,
xxii
Stepney, 10, 27
Stevens, Edward, master ship-
wright, xxii ; grant to, xxv ;
report on Prince Royal, Ixxv ;
reversion of master ship-
wright's place, 20, 23 ; fails
to obtain it on death of
Joseph, 27 ; the Commission
of Inquiry, 33 ; combines
against Phineas, 38, 43 ; evi-
THORNTON
dence before inquiry, 45 ; in-
quiry before James at Wool-
wich, 49, 55, 60 ; censured by
James, 63 ; at Chatham with
Phineas, survey of Prince,
124 ; mentioned, 178, 183
Stevens, Edward, junior, ship-
wright, 149
Steward, Sir Francis, voyage
to Spain, 125, 132, 213
Stockton, 159
Stokes Bay, 126, 127
Stonham Aspul, xliii
Stowmarket, 161
Stowood, 142, 149, 153
Straits, The, 26, 91, 93
Strood, 90, 147
Stuart, Arabella, escape and
search for, 91
Stuart, James. See Lennox
Suffolk, 151
Suffolk, Earl of, lord high
chamberlain, inquiry on
Prince Royal, Ixxiv, 42 ;
lord treasurer, 117
Sunderland, 160
Sunning Park, 143
Surtis, Nicholas, 57, 93
Sussex, 148
Sutton, Sir Richard, 119
Swatchway, 17
Taylor, John, 145 w.
Tayte, Lewis, Ixxxviii, 211
Teme, Nathaniel, xc
Terringham, Francis, 153
Thames, River, mentioned, 49,
53, 176 ; ice in, 123
Theobalds Park, 8, 80, 125, 212
Thetford, xliv
Thornton, Elizabeth (mother
of Phineas), wife of Peter
Pett, xlviii, i ; marries Rev.
T. Nunn, 2 ; death, 8
242
INDEX
Thornton]
Thornton, George, captain in
navy ; assists his nephew,
Noah, 4 ; visited at DubUn, 5
Through head, 9 n.
Tilbury, 21
Tilbury Hope, 19, 87, 88, 93,
123, 163
Titchfield Haven, 148
Together, 96
Tonnage, measurement of, 96
Tranckmore, Robert, the Com-
mission of Inquiry, 33 ; in-
quiry before James at Wool-
wich, 55
Treswell, Robert, 143
Trevor, Lady, 37
Trevor, Sir John, surveyor of
the navy, Ivi, lix, Ix, Ixvi ;
especial friend, 11 ; model
for, 14, 15 ; sick, 18 ; part
owner of Resistance, 25 ;
purchases trees, 27 ; the
Commission of Inquiry, 38 ;
plot revealed to, 40 ; in-
quiry before James at Wool-
wich, 49, 51, 57, 67 ; in-
quiry into abuses at Green-
wich, 69 ; survey of navy,
78 ; launch of Prince Royal,
80, 83 ; transfers post of
surveyor to Bingley, 92 ;
mentioned, 23, 27, 28, 37,
68, 138
Trevor, Sir Sackville, 129
Trinity House, report on Ship-
wrights' Company, xxxix ;
masters of, on inquiry of
1618, 119; examination of
Portsmouth Harbour, 145 ;
masters of, 165, 166, 167 ;
protest against building
Royal Sovereign, xci, 314
Tuck, 44 n.
Taxford, 161
WAYMOUTH
Ungle, Robert, 11
Upnor, Ixxix, 87, 89, 93, 104 «.
Vale. See a Vale
Valladolid, lix
Vane, Sir Henry, c ; comp-
troller of household, 155
Vaughan. Rev, Mr., 164
Vere, no
Vicars, Sebastian, carver, warns
Phineas of combination
against him, 38, 39 ; death,
112, mentioned, 207
Virginia Company, ciii
Waade, Sir William, Ixi n.
Wales, 177, 179, 180
Wales, Prince of. See Henry
and Charles
Walsham-le- Willows, xlv
Wanstead, 157
Wapping, xlviii, 5
Warwick, Earl of. Lord High
Admiral, xxxvii, xcix
Waterford, 5
Watford, Richard, 183
Wathsfield, xliii, xlv
Watts, Captain, Prince Royal
inquiry at Woolwich, 54
Waymouth, Captain George,
arctic exploration, Ixx, ciii ;
knowledge of shipbuilding,
Ixx-lxxiv ; report on Prince
Royal, Ixxv ; the Commission
of Inquiry, 33 ; combine*
against Phineas, 38 ; re
veals plot to Burrell, 40 ;
evidence before inquiry. 45 ;
inquiry before James at
Woolwich, 49, 51, 54, 55,
60 ; failure in building small
ship, 70 ; goes to Flushing
INDEX
243
WAYMOUTH
and Antwerp, 72 ; ordered
to be apprehended as a
pirate, 72 ; applies to Earl
of Salisbury for protection,
72 ; pension as master
engineer, 72 ; advised to
get Phineas to mediate with
Lord Admiral, 73 ; Phineas
invited to supper, 73 ; Mr.
Pory attempts reconcilia-
tion, 73 ; asks Phineas to
pardon him, 74 ; explains
how he was induced to act
against him, 74 ; pardoned,
75 ; death, 75 ; North-west
Passage, 95 n.
Webb, Mr., master of free
school at Rochester, 2
Wells, John, xci
Wells, Thomas, 183
Wentbridge, 161
Westminster, mentioned, 19,
33. 40, 88, 112, 143, 211 ;
Abbey, loi ; St. Stephen's
Al ey, 102
Weston, 8, 11, 12
Weston, Richard (Lord), com-
missioner for the navy, 119 ;
lord treasurer, 139, 141, 142,
143, 146, 148
Weymouth, 128
Whitaker Spit, 126
Whitby, 159
Whitechapel, Ivii
Whitehall, 22, 31, 32, 40, 46,
50, 67, 89, 114, 149. 164, 165 ;
sham sea-fight, 102 ; masque
by water, 103 ; privy stairs,
103 ; privy gallery, 157
Whitehead, Esau, 178
Whiting, Walter, master of
Prince Royal, 131
Wiggs, Thomas, 10
Wight, Isle of, 148, 214
WOOLWICH
Wilkinson, Robert, 178
Williams, Thomas, shipwright,
136
Wills, Mr., 85
Wilson, George, boatswain of
Lion, 21 ; master attendant,
138, 142
Wilson, Mr., Prince Henry's
tailor, 97
Windebank, Sir Francis, sec-
retary of state, 155
Windebank, Sir Thomas, 23,
24
Windsor, 112, 143
Witham, 162
Wolstenholme, Sir John, 119
Wood, Gilbert, presents Phineas
to Lord High Admiral, 8
Wood, John, first servant, 6
Woodbridge, The Crown, 152 ;
church, 154 ; colUer of, 160 ;
mentioned, 150, 156, 158,
162, 178, 205
Woodcott, James, 54
Woodcott, John, 56
Woodcott, Mathew, 54
Woolwich, Defiance brought
into dock, 6 ; Triumph at,
7 ; Elizabeth Jonas brought
into dock, 9 ; launched out,
10 ; Ark Royal and Victory
docked, 29, 30 ; new gates
for dock, 34 ; church, 34 ;
Ark Royal renamed, 37 ;
investigation into state of
Prince Royal, 42, 44 ; James
resolves on personal in-
quiry at, 47 ; Alerhonour
and Defiance docked, 94 ;
and rebuilt, 112 ; neglect
at. 113 ; Phineas returns to,
113, 143; visit of King of
Denmark, 114; Merhonour
and Defiance launched, 115;
244
INDEX
WOOLWICH
Elizabeth Jonas and Tri-
umph docked, 115 ; Destiny
built in galley dock, 116 ;
Vanguard docked, 142 ; dock
renewed, 142 ; Richard
Pett buried at, 143 ;
Phineas returns ill from
Portsmouth, 145; launch
of Vanguard and Victory,
146 ; Charles built, 149 ;
King visits, 149 ; Peter
to build ship at. 153 ; Uni-
corn launched, 154 ; Leopard
built, 156 ; launched, 157 ;
visit of Charles to, 156 ;
Sovereign to be built at,
158; limber for, 160; keel
laid, 162 ; visit of Charles I,
162 ; and Palsgrave, 162,
163 ; launch of the Sovereign,
166 ; docked, 167 ; men-
tioned, passim
Worcester, Earl of, master of
the horse, visits ship, 22 ;
mentioned, 27, 28 ; inquiry
on Prince Royal, Ixxiv, 42
ZOUCH
Wotton, Lord, Ixi n.
Wright, Robert, 56
Yacht, 109
Yardley, Catherine, married
to John, 136; married to
Edward Stevens, 149
Yardley, Edward, 146, 151
Yardley, Robert, 115, 136, 138
Yardley, Susan, married to
Phineas, 138 ; mentioned,
142 ; journey to Chatham,
146, 164 ; death, 164
Yarmouth, 205 ; road, 158,
178
York, 161
York, Duke of. See Charles I
Zapata, Cardinal, 129
Zouch, Lord, lord warden of
cinque ports, Ixi, Ixxvii ;
pinnace built for, ciii, 116,
117
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