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 18th day, being Tuesday, she was safely set upon her ways, and this day Sir Robert Mansell came and dined with me in my lodgings.

The 20th of this month, the French Leaguer[357] 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,[358] very fairly gilt with gold, with his Majesty's arms, to be placed upon the poop, and a very large ensign of crimson rich taffety, with a canton of the Prince's crest, to be placed upon the quarter deck, 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 lodgings and at Mr. Lydiard's were[359] 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 Deptford, where they lodged that night at Sir Robert Mansell's. 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 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 Elizabeth, and divers great lords and ladies in her train. The drums and trumpets [were] placed on poop and forecastle and the wind instruments 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 commandment to heave taut the crabs[360] and screws,[361] 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 she had been on float, according to ancient custom and ceremony performed at such times, by drinking 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 Greenwich, 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[362] and other labourers, we made all things ready before any flood came; which performed, every man applied himself to get victuals and to take rest. The Lord Admiral sat up all 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 trumpets, with a great deal of expression of princely joy, and with the ceremony[363] of drinking in the great standing cup, threw all the wine forward towards the half deck, and solemnly calling her by the 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 moorings, 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 hansel[364] 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.

The 22nd day of this month, the Resistance fell down to the wall,[365] 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 Gravesend, 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 10th 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,[366] and lay ashore at Birchington that night, old Thomas Puniett in our company. The next day Captain King, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Puniett,[367] 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 Lawrence 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 got as low as Halfway Tree,[368] 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 10th 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 received 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 16th day, we weighed and anchored within Sheerness; and on Monday we got up as high as St. Mary's Creek;[369] and the next day, being Tuesday and the 18th 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.

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 Queenborough; giving me strait charge I should acquaint none with 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 Highness 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 William St. John[370] having the charge of seeing it performed, being as Captain of the ship for present.[371]

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 before 6 at night, and thence walked on foot to Mr. Legatt's house, where his supper was ready prepared for him and his train, to his great content.

The Earl of Arundel was lodged at a boatswain'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 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[372] 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 commanded to be shot, even over his barge, notwithstanding all the persuasion to the contrary.[373] He was landed at Strood, where his coaches attended him, and thence went to Gravesend, whither I also waited on him, and there his Highness 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, expressing how well he was pleased with his journey 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 midnight one of the King's messengers was sent down to me from the Lord Treasurer to man the light horseman[374] 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[375] 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[376] 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 command; and so was dismissed, and went that night to Ratcliff, where I lay at Captain King's.

The 10th of June, being at London, I had news of the arrival of the Resistance from the Straits, whereupon 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[377] was captain. I stayed in the Gore till the 17th day, at which 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,[378] 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 Navy, 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 Grace acquainted with it, being hindered by Sir Richard Bingley.

The 17th day of this month,[379] 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; and 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[380] 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,[381] 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 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[382] in and blew a very fresh gale, and before a quarter flood it blew so much wind as we could not maintain 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,[383] 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[384] we weighed and got up under Sheerness,[385] where we anchored all night, and the next day, being Saturday and the 7th day, we brought our ship safe to Gillingham, giving God thanks for our safety and deliverance.

About the middle of December, the Honour[386] 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 commended to me, we began to prepare the dock for the receiving of them in after Christmas; and so ended this year of 1611.

The 6th day of January I went from Chatham to Woolwich to dock the Honour and the Defiance. On the 9th 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 11th 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,[387] to build her in Ireland, myself being appointed to have gone over thither to see him to perform his bargain; and every Master Shipwright brought in plats,[388] to the end his Highness might make the better choice for what proportions and kinds of moulds[389] 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[390] 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 returned 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, who was then going away upon his voyage, and we parted together[391] on board his ship, from whence I returned to Chatham.

About the middle of June, by the commandment 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 purpose; 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,[392] or thereabouts.

Much about the 10th July, I sold the good ship called the Resistance to one Mr. Henry Mainwaring,[393] brother to Sir Arthur Mainwaring, for 700 and odd pounds, whereof I received 450l. 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 Gibbons,[394] 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 Richmond, I rode from Chatham to Richmond, accompanied 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,[395] 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 satisfied; which done, he sent me to dinner, commanding 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 performance of what he was pleased to commend to my charge, with many princely passages of his 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 impression 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 provided 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, 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 Milbourne, 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 breakfast 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[396] 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[397] making the sermon at the next church adjoining.

About this time my picture was begun to be drawn by a Dutchman working then with Mr. Rock[398] 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 Rochester, 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[399] 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 protestant religion.

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 Canterbury'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 performed, 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 messenger 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 ready for the transportation of the Lady Elizabeth,[400] with warrant to put them presently in hand to be graved and fitted accordingly.

The 11th 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 Shipwrights, to resolve not only for the preparation of the fleet to attend the transportation, but also for preparing many 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[401] to divers yardkeepers,[402] 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 (principally 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,[403] which 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 entreated 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[404] 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 post to Chatham, to make all possible haste for to make ready the fleet, the Prince being appointed to go Admiral,[405] and to transport the Lady and the Palsgrave's[406] 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 ship I had begun to build the summer before, which the Lord Admiral was pleased to call by the name of the Phœnix, 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[407] of the keel, to which purpose Mr. Thomas Aylesbury,[408] 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 Chatham 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,[409] 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, coming to an anchor at St. Mary Creek's mouth. His Lordship lay at Mr. Legatt's.

On Easter day, being the 4th of April, the Lord Admiral with his retinue received the holy sacrament 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 Chatham, 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[410] 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 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,[411] 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 hartening[412] 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;[413] 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[414] 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 him, but also gave great advantage to the enemies of the ship, of whom the Lord Northampton was chief, to persuade the Lady Elizabeth 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[415] 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[416] 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[417] the Lord Admiral and general joy of the whole company, for which we gave God thanks.

The next days, being Friday and Saturday, we lay still to prytly[418] the ship and take in such provisions as were wanting.

The 11th day, being Sunday, we weighed and set sail, and anchored for that night at The Spits[419]; next day we weighed and anchored short of the Long Sand head[420]; next day we weighed and anchored middle of the Channel[421]; 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 21st 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 received on board the ships; presently we set sail and that night anchored without the Foreland.

The 26th day the wind shortened[422] 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[423] Sconce,[424] being very fair weather.

The 28th day we weighed about noon, and anchored thwart of Sluis,[425] where came on board us with his yachts,[426] the Prince of Orange, Grave[427] 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 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.[428] 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[429] 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 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,[430] 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 Gunfleet.[431]

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 Chatham, where he lay that night at Mr. Legatt's 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 committed to the Marshalsea,[432] upon some displeasure[433] 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.

In the latter end of July I received commandment to take the charge of new building the Defiance, 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 Chatham; 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 16th 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 have prevented my sickness. The whole company 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 business 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 lodgings 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 lodgings in the King's Yard were prepared and made ready.

The 14th of February, I began to victual all 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 escaping to fall into the hold, which would have beat me all to pieces.

The 14th of June, my honourable and implacable 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 Denmark 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 accompanying 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.

In the end of November, all the workmen that wrought upon the Merhonor were discharged from Woolwich.

The 6th of March,[434] the Merhonor and Defiance were both launched out of the dry dock at Woolwich in one tide, and the 25th day of April following 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, who were appointed to be new built; which ships were accordingly brought from Chatham, 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 Canterbury 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 Woolwich 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 11 [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 and Mr. King, godfathers, and my sister Simonson, the godmother.

About the 27th day of March I bargained with Sir Walter Ralegh[435] 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 Majesty's Yard at Woolwich, towards which I presently received 500l. 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 35l. ready moneys.

The 18th 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, belonging 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. Christopher Hamon,[436] cousin William Hawkridge,[437] myself, 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 16th of August and then took leave of the Lord 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 100l. 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 bargain I was loser 100l. at least.

The 3rd day [of] December following, died my brother Cooper at Chatham. The 16th of December 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 700l. 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 Woolwich 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 business into the New Forest in Hampshire, where one Sir Giles Mompesson[438] 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 business 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,[439] and was buried at Chatham.