Chapter IX: Introduction: 1.--The Shipwrights (6)

The first day the Lord Northampton made the very entrance into the business a great complaint of the dishonour he reaped by my hearing at Woolwich, insisting very maliciously in incensing 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] determine, took him short off with a sharp reprehension 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 10th of June and the 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 transported 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;[339] 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 did 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 afterwards 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 oversight and direction of building a small ship for him, which was expected to have been so rare a 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[340] 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[341]), instead of 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[342] of ten groats per diem here in England from his Majesty under the title of Master Engineer.

This his juggling was not so privately conveyed 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 apprehended 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,[343] 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 Lordship 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,[344] he advised his safest 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 Admiral he might, upon this submission, be both pardoned 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 discovered unto me the cause of their meeting and sending for me, which when I throughly understood 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, acknowledging 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 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 then freely 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. 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 18th 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[345] 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[346] 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 sweetmeats on board the great ship in the dock, which was called the Trade's Increase[347]; the other was called the Peppercorn,[348] 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[349] upon the launching ways that she could by no means be put off, which did somewhat discontent his Majesty.[350]

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.[351] 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 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 Ratcliff, 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 10th of May, this present year, I bought Sir John Trevor's third part of the Resistance, so that I had two third parts of her to myself.

The 18th 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.[352] 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 commandment not to launch the ship till his progress was ended.

Between Easter and Michaelmas that the ship began to be garnished,[353] it is not credible what numbers of people continually resorted to 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.[354] And the 16th 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 Resistance for a voyage into the Straits at the rate of 100_l._ per mensem, with 36 men; Mr. William Gibbons appointed the master.

The 31st day, I rode to Nonsuch,[355] 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 Sunday, about six of the clock in the evening, divers London maids, coming to see the ship, brought in their company a little boy of 12 years old, the only child of his mother, a widow woman dwelling in Tower Street, who, carelessly going up and down upon the main orlop,[356] 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 whole 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 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 450_l._ 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.