EDITED BY W. G. PERRIN PRINTED FOR THE NAVY RECORDS SOCIETY MDCCCCXVIII THE COUNCIL OF THE NAVY RECORDS SOCIETY 1917-1918 PATRON THE KING PRESIDENT THE RIGHT HON. LORD GEORGE HAMILTON, G.C.S.I. VICE-PRESIDENTS Corbett, Sir Julian S. , F.S.A. Custance, Admiral Sir Reginald N. , G.C.B., K.C.M.G., C.V.O., D.C.L. Firth, Professor C. H. , LL.D., F.B.A. Gray, Albert , K.C., C.B. COUNCILLORS Atkinson, C. T. Bethell, Admiral Hon. Sir A.E. , K.C.B., K.C.M.G. Brindley, Harold H. Callender, Geoffrey A. R.

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 th

When Thomas Heywood, 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. T

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 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 [94] of the name chosen for him (which no doubt refers, not to the disobedient son of Eli, but to 'Phinehas, the son of El

( In Latin ) [ Pat. Roll 1646 ] The King [608] to all to whom etc. greeting. Whereas our dearest Sister Elizabeth late deceased Queen of England 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 [609] 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 [610] things a certain annuity or annual ren

( 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 r . 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, boats, barges, or any such like vessels, both appertaining to her Majesty or her Highness' subjects, specially within the liberty of the Thames and

[ 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

[ Power to majorities to remove Master, Wardens, or Assistants for misdemeanour and elect others in vacancies caused by removal or death. ] [ Fine not exceeding 10 l. for refusing or neglecting the office of Master or Warden, or not exceeding 20 nobles in case of the office of Assistants. ] 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

[ Pipe Office Declared Account No. 2249 ] [ N.B.—Spelling and numerals modernised ] Mathew Baker, one of his Majesty's Master Shipwrights, 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 l. Robert Beake and Paul Isackson, painters, for painting and gilding his Highness' ship the Prince Royal with fine gold and divers co

[ 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 st

[ 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 direct

[ S.P. Dom. Chas I. cclxxiii. 25 ] Right Honourable ,—Being informed that his Majesty is minded to build a great ship of these dimensions (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 r

R = Rebuilt....

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....