The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 20 · Section 5 – Section 6

The History of the Worthies of England · Part 2 · County 20 · Section 5 – Section 6

p. 59The Navy Royal.

It may be justly accounted a WONDER of Art; and know the Ships are properly here handled, because the most, best and biggest of them have their Birth (built at Woolwich) and Winter aboad nigh Chattam in the River of Medway in this County. Indeed before the Reign of Q. Elizabeth the ships Royal were so few, they deserved not the name of a Fleet, when our Kings hired Vessels from Hamborough, Lubeck, yea, Genoa it self. But such who in stead of their own servants use chair folke in their houses, shall find their work worse done, and yet pay dearer for it.

Queen ELIZABETH, sensible of this mischief, erected a Navy-Royal (continued and increased by her successors) of the best ships Europe ever beheld. Indeed much is in the matter, the excellency of our English-Oake; more in the making, the cunning of our shipwrights; most in the manning, the courage of our Seamen, and yet all to Gods blessing who so often hath crowned them with success.

If that man who hath versatile ingenium be thereby much advantaged for the working of his own fortune; Our ships, so active to turn and winde at pleasure, must needs be more useful than the Spanish▪ Gallions, whose unwieldiness fixeth them almost in one posture, and maketh them the stedier markes for their enemies. As for Flemish bottoms, though they are finer built, yet as the slender Barbe is not so fit to charge with, they are found not so useful in fight. The great SOVERAIGN built at Dulwich, a Leigership for State is the greatest Ship our Island ever saw. But great Medals are made for some grand solemnity, whilest lesser Coyn are more current and passable in payment.

I am credibly informed, that that Mystery of Ship-Wrights for some descents hath been preserved successively in Families, of whom the Petts about Chattam are of singular regard; Good success have they with their skill, and carefully keep so precious a pearl, lest otherwise amongst many Friends some Foes attain unto it. It is no Monopoly which concealeth that from common enemies, the concealing whereof, is for the common good. May this Mystery of ship-making in England never be lost till this floting world be arrived at its own Haven, the End and Dissolution thereof.

I know what will be objected by Forreigners, to take off the lustre of our Navy-Royal, viz. That (though the Model of our great Ships primitively were our own yet, we fetched the first Mold and Pattern of our Frigots from the Dunkerks, when in the dayes of the Duke of Bukcingham (then Admiral) we took some Frigots from them, two of which still survive in his Majesties Navy by the name of the Providence, and Expedition.

All this is confessed, and honest men, may lawfully learn something from thieves for their own better defence. But it is added, we have Improved our Patterns, and the Transscript doth at this day exceed the Original: witnesse some of the swiftest Dunkirks and Ostenders, whose wings in a fair flight have failed them, overtaken by our Frigots, and they still remain the Monuments thereof in our Navy.

Not to disgrace our Neigbouring Nations, but vindicate our selves, in these nine following particulars, The Navy-Royal exceeds all Kingdoms and States in Europe.

p. 601. Swift sayling.

Which will appear by a comparative Induction of all other Nations.

First for the Portugal his Carvils and Caracts whereof few now remain (the charges of maintaining them far exceeding the profit they bring in) they were the veriest Dr ones on the Sea, the rather because formerly their Seeling was dam'd up with a certain kind of morter to dead the shot, a fashion now by them disused.

The Frenchh (ow dexterous soever in Land-battles) are Left-handed in Sea-fights, whose best ships are of Dutch Building.

The Dutch build their ships so sloaty and boyant they have little hold in the Water in comparison of ours, which keep the better Winde and so out sail them.

The Spanish-Pride hath infected their ships with Loftiness which makes them but the fairer marks to our shot.

Besides the winde hath so much power of them, in bad weather, so that it drives them two Leagues for one of ours to the Lee-ward, which is very dangerous upon a Leeshore.

Indeed the Turkish Frigots especially some 36 of Algier formed and built much near the English mode, and manned by Renegadoes, many of them English, being already too nimble heeld for the Dutch, may hereafter prove mischievous to us, if not seasonably prevented.

2. Strength.

I confine this only to the Timber whereof they are made, our English Oak being the best in the World. True it is (to our shame and sorrow be it written and read) the Dutch of late have built them some ships of English Oak, which (through the Negligence or Covetousness of some Great ones) was bought here and transported hence. But the best is, that as Bishop Latimer once said to one who had preached his Sermon, that he had gotten his fidle-stick but not his rosin so the Hollanders with our Timber did not buy also our Art of ship-Building.

Now the ships of other Countries are generally made of Fir and other such slight wood whereby it cometh to passe, that, as in the Battle in the Forest of Ephraim (wherein Absolon was slain,) the Wood devoured more People that Day then the Sword, the splinters 2 Sam. 18. 8.2 Sam 18:8of so brittle Timber, kill more than the shot in a Sea fight.

3. Comelyness.

Our Friggots are built so neat and snug made long and low: so that (as the Make of some Womens Bodies hansomely concealeth their pregnancy or Great Belly) their Contrivance hideth their bigness without suspicion, the Enemy not expecting thirty, when (to his cost) he hath found sixty Peeces of Ordnance in them. Our Masts stand generally very upright whereas those of the Spaniards hang over their Poop as if they were ready to drop by the Board, their Deckes are unequal, having many Risings and fallings, whereas ours are even. Their ports some higher in a Tire then others, ours drawn upon an Equal Line. Their Cables bad, (besides subject to rot in these Countries) because bought at the second hand, whereas we make our best markets, fetching our Cordage from the Fountain thereof.

4. Force.

Besides the strength inherent in the structure (where of before) this is accessary consisting in the Weight and number of their Guns, Those of the

The Royal-Soveraign being one of the first rates when she is fitted for the Seas, carrieth one hundred and four Peeces of Ordnance mounted.

p. 615. Sea-men.

Couragious and skilful. For the first we remember the Proverb of Solomon; Let an other praise thee, not thy own mouth, a stranger, not thy own lips. The Spaniards with sad shrug and Dutch with a sorrowful shaking of their heads give a tacite assent hereunto.

Skillful. Indeed Navigation is much improved especially since Saint Pauls time, insomuch, that, when a man goes bunglingly about any work in a ship, I have heard our English-men say; such a man is one of Saint Pauls Mariners. For though no doubt they were as ingenious as any in that Age to decline a Tempest, yet modern experience affords fairer fences against foul Weather.

6. Advantagious VVeapons.

Besides Guns of all sorts and sizes from the Pistol to whole Cannon, they have Round-double-head-Bur-spike-Crow-Bar-Case-Chain shot. I joyn them together because (though different Instruments of death) they all concur in doing Execution. If they be VVind-ward of a ship, they have Arrows made to shoot out of a bow with fire-workes at the end, which if striking unto the Enemies Sails will stick there I fire them, and the ship if they lye board and board they throw hand-Granadoes with stinck-pots into the ship which make so noisom a smell that the Enemie is forced to thrust their heads out of the Ports for air.

7. Provision.

1. Wholsome, our English Beef and Pork keeping sweet and sound longer then any Flesh of other Countries, even twenty six moneths to the East and West-Indies.

2. More plentiful, than any Prince or State in all Europe alloweth. The Sea-men having two Beef, two Pork, and three Fish-dayes; besides every Sea-man is alwayes well stored with Hooks to catch Fish, with which our Seas do abound. Insomuch that many times six will diet on four mens allowance, and so save the rest therewith to buy fresh meat, when landing, where it may be procured. I speak not this that hereafter their allowance from the King should be the lesse, but that their Loyalty to him, and thankfulnesse to God may be the more.

8. Accommodation.

Every one of his Majesties Ships and Friggot-Officers have a distinct Cabin for themselves, for which the Dutch, French and Portugals do envy them, who for the most partlye sub dio under ship-decks.

9. Government.

Few offences comparatively to other Fleets are therein committed, and fewer escape punishment. The Offender, if the fault be small, is tried by a Court-Marshal, consisting of the Officers of the Ship, if great, by a Council of Warre, wherein only Commanders and the Judge Advocate. If any sleep in their watches it is pain of death. After 8 a clock none save the Captain, Lievtenant, and Master, may presume to burn a candle. No smoaking of Tobacco (save for the priviledged aforesaid) at any time, but in one particular place of the ship, & that over a Tub of water. Preaching they have lately had twice aweek, Praying twice aday: but my Intelligencer could never hear, that the Lords Supper for so…e yeares was administred aboard of any ship, an Omission which I hope hereafter will be amended.

But never did this Navy appear more triumphant, then when in May last it brought over our Gracious Soveraign being almost becalmed (such the fear of the winds to offend with over-roughness,) the prognostick of his Majesties peaceable Reign.

The Farwel.

Being to tak our leave of these our wooden walls, first I wish that they may conquer with their Mast and Sailes without their Gunnes, that their very appearnace may fright their foes into Submission.

But if in point of Honour or safety they be necessitated to ingage, may they alwayes keep the Wind of the Enemy, that their shot may flye with the greater force, and that the smoake of their Pouder pursuing the F…e may drive him to fire at hazard. May their p. 62Gunner be in all places of the ship, to see where he can make a shot with the best advantage, their Carpenter and his Crew be allwayes in the Hold presently to drive in a wooden plug (whereas a shot comes betwixt wind and water) and to clap a board with Tar and Camels Hair upon it till the dispute be over. Their Chirurgion and his assistants be in the same place (out of danger of shot) to dress the wounded. Their Captain to be in the uppermost, the Lieuetenant in every part of the Ship to incourage the Sea-men. The Chaplain at his Devotions, to importune Heaven for success and encouraging all his by his good Council, if Time will permit.

Medicinal Waters.

TUNBRIDGE - WATER.]

It is usual for Providence when intending a Benefit to Mankind to send some signal chance on the Errand to bring the first Tidings thereof; most visible in the Newes of Medicinal-Waters.

The first Discovery of this Water (though variously reported) is believed from a Footman to a Dutch Lord, who passed this way, and drinking thereof found it in taste very like to that at the Spaw in Germany.

Indeed, there is a great Symbolizing betwixt them in many concurrences, and I believe it is as Soveraign as the other, save that it is true of Things as of Persons, Major è longinquo Reverentia. Surely it runneth thorough some Iron-Mine, because so good for Splenitick distempers. But I leave the full Relation to such, who having experimentally found the Vertue of it can set their Seal of Probatum est unto the commendation thereof.