The Autobiography of Phineas Pett

V.

New Building the Prince Royal at Woolwich

[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

10l.

Robert Beake and Paul Isackson, painters, for painting 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 workmanship: 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

62l. 6s. 8d.

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

190l.

For the galleries, three on each side, priming three times; the lower 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

100l.

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

140l.

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 with the bellhouse, 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

45l. 10s.

For all the timbers within the board, and all the plansers[615] afore and abaft, double primed and stopped and laid in oil colours

10l.

For the galleries within board, primed and stopped and laid in oil colours

6l.

For the Prince's lodging cabin, very curiously wrought and gilded with divers histories, and very much other work in oil colours

164l.

For the state cabin, gilded and very curiously wrought with divers histories, and much other works, wrought in oil colours and varnished

90l.

For the room abaft the stateroom, wrought overhead and on each side with sundry figures in oil colours

15l.

For the Master's cabin wrought and varnished, with his mate's cabins, primed and laid in oil colours

110s.

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

40l.

In all

868l. 6s. 8d.

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, 20l.; the trailboard, 10l.; the sideboard, 16l.; of two boards for the half rail between the planchers, 9l.; of 14 brackets for both, 13l. 6s. 8d.; of two lions for the half rail, 50s.; of a serpent for the tacks, 13s. 4d.; 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, 12l. 6s. 8d.; of 47 compartments in the lower strake, 110s.; of 14 great lion heads for the round ports, 10l.; of 12 Prince's badges in the middle strake, 12l.; for carving 9 compartments in the same strake, 110s.; of the King's badges on the sides without board, 22l.; of one pair of the King's arms and another of the King's and Queen's together, 15l.; of four terms[616] on either side the arms, 75s.; of four ports, two in the bow and two in the quarter abaft, with four taffrails, 110s.; of 4 scuttles of windows, 4l.; of 8 trophies in the upper strake, 110s.; of 14 brackets in the narrow strake and 12 compartments, 55s.; and of four hansing pieces in the waist, 53s. 4d.; for carving the two sides in the lower gallery, 20l.; of 26 brackets, 6l.; of 12 supporters under the galleries, 6l.; and of the frieze round about, 8l.; for carving of 6 panels with stories on the middle of the gallery, 18l.; of 16 arches, 60s.; of ten great terms, 10l.; of 14 little terms, 6l. 10s.; of two great badges of the Prince's, 8l.; of four of the Prince's letters, 25s.; of ten Dragons for supporters, 100s.; of two great arches within the galleries, 13s. 4d.; and of four hansing pieces, 40s.; for the carving the two sides on the upper gallery, 15l.; of the ten brackets, 40s.; of eight beasts, 70s.; of ten taffrails, 25s. 8d.; for carving of four great terms in the stern, 6l.; of three great arches, 60s.; of two great lions' heads, 33s. 4d.; of the rudder head and tiller, 20s.; of the planks cross the stern, 6l. 13s. 4d.; of the frieze, 4l.; of seven brackets, 33s. 4d.; of two dragons, 40s.; of seven pendants, 68s.; of eight terms, 7l. 10s.; of six arches, 25s.; of the Prince's badges, 4l.; of two letters on either side of the badge, 16s.; of two pieces of Victory and Fame, 7l.; of the plank cross the stern in the upper gallery, 7l.; of six brackets, 25s.; of six beasts, 66s. 8d.; and of five taffrails, 15s.; for carving the King's arms ten foot wide in the upright, 22l.; and of two pyramids with two boys sitting on the top showing for Peace or War, 6l.; for carving four terms for the doors in the forecastle, 35s.; of a frieze round about, 35s.; of four terms and four cartowes,[617] 55s.; and of two hansing pieces, 40s.; for carving of six terms and six cantlappers[618] and two arches for the doors in the forecastle within board, 6l.; of three orpins,[619] 73s. 4d.; 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, 6l.; 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, 7l.; for carving of six terms for three doors and six cantlappers with three arches on the quarter deck, 9l.; 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 441l. 4d.

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 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, 1631.

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 Commissioners of the Admiralty of England these

Westminster.

47 I.

To the right honourable the lords and other Commissioners 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[620] 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 700l., 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 900l., towards which I could never hitherto recover one penny satisfaction.

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 500l. 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 Letter to Buckingham (1623)

[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, 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 humbleness 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.

VIII

Protest of 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 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 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 being made, they will not be manageable, 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 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 5½ 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 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,
    9th of August 1634.

To the Right Honourable Sir John Coke, principal Secretary to His Majesty.

IX

Ships Built or Rebuilt by Phineas Pett.

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.