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March 2.
Deptford. |
John Cox, master attendant, to the Navy Commissioners.
The bearer, Mr. Stafford, waits on you about building two boats
for the Royal Charles. He is unwilling to build them by contract
for want of money, and it is not to be performed in Woolwich
Yard for want of good stuff. |
|
We have the anchors, cables and sails from Chatham and doubt
not, if men do but appear to-day, to get her ready to sail tomorrow or Saturday, wind and weather permitting, if you please.
It will be convenient if some of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity
House go down in her. Captains Proud and Nickalls, I suppose,
will be willing, if you desire them. I shall be very glad of their
good company to assist me. [S.P. Supplementary 137, No. 64.] |
| March 2. |
Jonas Shish to the Navy Commissioners. Giving the names
of the caulkers who have been warned in and still absent themselves. Reed and broom have been formerly demanded, but not
any have come into the stores. [Ibid. No. 65.] |
March 2.
Woolwich. |
The Officers of the Yard to the Navy Commissioners. We
have considered the proposals to his Royal Highness by the buyer
of the Sophia and our opinion is that it is most for the King's
advantage that he have her at 200l. abatement of the 535l. he
bid for her, because she has received considerable damage in her
hull since our appraisement so that we judge her near 100l.
worse in her hull than at her sale. [Ibid. No. 66.] |
March 2.
Harwich. |
Capt. Anthony Deane to the Navy Commissioners. All
dispatch possible shall be used for the delivery of the Wood
merchant and what masts she can stow shall be put on board
her, but unless you order the 80l. to master hewers the works will
cease, for since the lading of these three ships not one day passed
without charge both of men and horse to get the masts into the
water besides the rigging of the new ship, so that, unless you
order the money on the next office day, we can go no further. |
|
The seamen of the mast ships are now persuaded to get up the
heavy rigging of the new ship while they stay windbound and at
the end of that work they must have the gratuity promised or
they would not have been persuaded, so I pray your supply
with the money that I may not forfeit my word and that in the
like case we may be regarded. |
|
The storehouse being nigh finished as to timber, I shall put on
board the Golden Hand ninety fir timber baulks, where you speak
of fifty, but I know you desire the ships to be fully laden. [Ibid.
No. 67.] |
March 2.
[Received.] |
Estimate by Jonas Shish and Edward Byland of the cost of
the carving work performed by John Ledman for the Royal
Charles, amounting to 305l. 1s. [2 pages. Ibid. No. 68.] |
| March 2. |
Certificate by Alexander Staples that, affidavit having been
made by William Waite and George Adamson that John Hills,
Henry Miles and John Taylor were not on service against the
Dutch when they made their last attempt in the Hope when
belonging to the Golden Hart, the said persons were on service,
and also Thomas Lanum and Walter Medley, whose names were
not as yet given in. [Ibid. No. 69.] |
March 5.
Harwich. |
Robert Last and Henry Bartsson to the Navy Commissioners.
We once before acquainted you with our proceedings in the work
of the new storehouse here with our complaint of the nonperformance of our contract in the payment of our moneys and
now are forced to trouble you once more for want of moneys to
pay our workmen. [Ibid. No. 70.] |
| March 6. |
Jonas Shish to the Navy Commissioners. Another barge
laden with timber is gone down to Woolwich. Six so laden
have gone down there and we have had but one at Deptford.
I doubt not your desire is that the King's service here may be
carried on as well as at Woolwich. It grieves me to see the
frame of the London standing naked for want of one or two hundred
loads of timber. I doubt not you will the first opportunity help
forward that and other work now in hand here. Here is great
want of broom, brush, bavins and reed formerly demanded.
[Ibid. No. 71.] |
March 7.
Woolwich. |
Roger Eastwood to the Navy Commissioners. Certifying that
his Majesty's hoys are not damnified in their hulks in weighing
the collier. [Ibid. No. 72.] |
| March 9. |
Claus Seymmenson to Carrel Morrysko in London. About
business matters. [Dutch. S.P. Supplementary 135, No. 20.] |
| March 10. |
Statement by the Earl of Anglesey. Since the Lords of the
Treasury directed 19,000l. of my tallies on the Customs to be
reserved for pay of the yards they have appointed 10,000l.
thereof to be used for paying off ships to be supplied afterwards
out of other moneys when they come in, but whence to expect
such a sum together to answer that occasion ? And the 9,000l.
yet due of the said tallies, though expected, I am not sure of
this month. Besides money is yet wanting for the tickets of the
ten ships last paid off and one to pay, which by estimate comes to
18,000l., nor have I received the 5,000l. promised and already
charged for naval provisions and 2,400l. is yet unpaid for February
out of the Customs. [S.P. Supplementary 137, No. 73.] |
March 10.
Harwich. |
Capt. Silas Taylor to the Navy Commissioners. Yours of the
3rd I received not till the 8th at night, to which I answer that,
when my account was returned here, I received it not nor ever
heard objection against it. It was, as I understand, sent to
Commissioner Taylor; I never saw it after I first sent it you.
It was both for board wages and contingencies and in it is set
down fully what you now demand, viz., what I charged myself
with, which was for board wages 626l. and for contingencies
550l. By your demanding my vouchers I perceive you command
me to London, which I desire to understand more fully, yet I
have hired a room in the coach on this day fortnight and shall
readily wait on you. My vouchers for board wages I sent to
London and they were returned to me. A receipt of timber is
to be added to my account of Oct. 7, 1667, and it was a great
bargain. The yard had the fir timber at 25s. a load, so that
142l. 4s. 3d. is also due from you. [Ibid. No. 74.] |
March 10.
Portsmouth. |
St. John Steventon to Samuel Pepys. The James galliot
employed in Mr. Cole's business is here and according to your
order I shall stop her here till your pleasure be further known.
[Ibid. No. 75.] |
March 10.
Woolwich. |
Christopher Pett to Samuel Pepys. To-day I received your
commands concerning my giving you a list of the rates and
dimensions of the ships belonging to the Navy since the restoration, which I should have immediately done had I not been
visited with an extraordinary distemper of the spleen and
scurvy, so that I am altogether unfit for that or any other
business of importance and therefore crave your excuse till my
recovery. The Reserve is lately arrived here whom we have orders
speedily to fit out again and also to prepare two fire vessels for
securing the yard and Navy at Chatham, but we cannot proceed without a supply of caulkers and ordinary deals. [Ibid.
No. 76.] |
| March 11. |
James Hayes, secretary to Prince Rupert, to Lord Brouncker.
The King has lent the Prince, the Duke of Albemarle and others
concerned with them the Eaglet ketch. There are wet and dry
provisions still on board and several men so that we cannot become
possessed of her till they are removed, wherefore I desire your
speedy order for clearing her. [Ibid. No. 77.] |
March 12.
Deptford. |
James Mathews to the Navy Commissioners. Mr. Byland
sent to me for bricklayers to fit the cook rooms of vessels at
Woolwich ordered for sea. Edward Barnett, a bricklayer there
formerly employed and discharged about six weeks ago, has refused
his service by plea for greater wages. Other bricklayers return
the same answer, by reason, say they, of the great wages now
given them elsewhere, having them weekly. I was with Mr.
Byland, who certified you I could not produce workmen by
reason as above. I have not heard your pleasure as yet. If
you give a warrant for impressing or order wages to able men for
the present supply, I shall provide either as you appoint. [Ibid.
No. 78.] |
March 12.
Harwich. |
Capt. Anthony Deane to the Navy Commissioners. The
Friezland departed yesterday. The St. Peter and Golden Hand
have had some hindrance by their provisions, which came not
from Ipswich according to promise, but, if the wind favour,
they are resolved to sail to-morrow. |
|
On your last letter that the 80l. should be paid, I have to-day
begun to load the Wood Merchant and shall use my best endeavour
for her dispatch, which cannot be wholly accomplished till you
enable me by the payment of the money, which, I hope, will meet
with no more stop, for, if it do, I know no way to supply these poor
men on board the new ship (i.e., the Resolution), who have been a
month without a penny in rigging wages and are so importunate I
cannot tell what to answer them and, if you cannot supply them
any more, they would be content to be in petty warrant and then
they will get victuals, for they lie on board ship every night, being
very good husbands, and have followed their business extremely
well, and there would have been some few more if they might have
been entertained, which will be scarce to be had when the ship is
to be manned. I pray you to consider that, if she go to sea this
spring, she must come up to some dock to rip off some cleats in
her bottom and to be graved, for we cannot lay her aground here,
her masts being set, and the water will not ebb far enough one
tide in ten to effect it, wherefore I once more remind you of it
that, if you think fit, we may get what men we can in petty
warrant in order to getting her about. [Ibid. No. 79.] |
March 12.
Harwich. |
Capt. Martin Carslake to Samuel Pypes (Pepys). As he hears
that Capt. Deane is to go from Harwich, requesting him to be the
means of his being employed to look after his Majesty's concerns
there. [Ibid. No. 80.] |
| March 14. |
Capt. Charles O'Bryen to the Navy Commissioners. His
Royal Highness having given him the command of the Leopard
appointed for a Turkey voyage, requesting them to appoint
Capt, Robert Beck to be her master. [Ibid. No. 81.] |
March 14.
Harwich. |
Capt. Anthony Deane to the Navy Commissioners. To-day
the St. Peter and Golden Hand are gone to sea and will get up
before night, if the wind continue. The Wood Merchant is
taking in what provisions she can stow and will be soon dispatched if the money be paid as you promised. |
|
I enclose the account of petty warrant this last month, which
had been done weekly, but that Master Gregory has been absent so
long. For the future you shall not fail of it as it increases each week. |
|
(About docking the Resolution as in his last letter.) Some
works (meaning our works) of necessity must be done ere she
can stir and what men could be persuaded I have set to work by
Commissioner Taylor's warrant as well as your desire and they
depend on their pay as you promised you would take care for
them, which I pray you to remember, for they hear of my
removal, which gives them some jealousy they shall be slighted,
so that I can scarcely get them to perfect what they have begun,
but a line from you will ease their minds, for we have not above
eight shipwrights and two joiners and no more are to be had, being
all departed this place. |
|
I have received notice from Whitehall that his Royal Highness
has ordered my removal, so soon as I shall come to London, to
Portsmouth and because I know not the service you will command ere I come to London, I pray a line of direction, when you
think my coming up may be most convenient. [Ibid. No. 82.]
Enclosed, |
|
Account of the petty warrant issued from 15 Feb. to 14 March,
1667[—8]. [Ibid. No. 82 i.] |
|
Account of the ironwork delivered for the use of the Resolution
and the new storehouse from 14 Feb. to 14 March, 1667[—8].
[Ibid. No. 82 ii.] |
| March 14. |
Note by Capt. Daniel Heling that he approves of the bearer,
Richard Erlysman of Bermondsey, for master of the Bristol
frigate. Prefixed, |
|
Trinity House certificate of the competency of Richard Erlysman.
10 Sept., 1664; and
|
|
Note by Sir Christopher Myngs that he approves of the bearer
for master of the Portland. 14 Sept., 1664. Copies. [Ibid.
No. 83.] |
|
Originals of the above certificate and note. [Ibid. No. 84.] |
| March 16. |
Warrant to the Ordnance Commissioners for putting the office
of the Armoury under the regulation of the Ordnance Office.
(Calendared in Cal. S.P. Dom., 1667–68, p. 291). [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 441, No. 37.] |
| March 17. |
Request by Capt. Francis Courtenay that William Marshall,
late master of the Sweepstakes, may be continued in the same
employment under his command. [S.P. Supplementary 137,
No. 85.] |
March 17.
Harwich. |
John Browne to the Navy Commissioners. When I was in
London I requested that, in case of Capt. Deane's removal for
Portsmouth, I might have the charge of his Majesty's concerns
here, which I again crave, as being an inhabitant here and so
able to do it cheaper and also having been employed in Navy
concerns for about fifteen years. I was urged by Commissioner
Taylor at first to put in for it, who promised me his assistance,
but he has now affirmed to me that he could not be a friend to
the King if he should move for or not oppose Capt. Taylor as he
knew him not capable of that employ. [Ibid. No. 86.] |
| March 18. |
Sir William Coventry to the Navy Commissioners. I lately
received a letter from Col. Middleton representing the yard at
Chatham to be in a sad condition, especially as to timber. I
doubt not his account to you has been more particular. He tells
me great quantities of timber and plank are in the Medway above
Rochester which might be had with money. |
|
Sir G. Downing tells me he has writ you word what your
monthly supplies are like to be out of the Customs between this
and Michaelmas. I hope these assignments may enable you to
get out the ships now required, but amongst them you must
reckon the 5,000l. per mensem formerly promised to be excluded.
In the disposition of your assignments it will be necessary you
reserve in each month a small sum for unforeseen contingencies,
for which way to help you to more between this and Michaelmas
I do not see. [Ibid. No. 87.] |
| March 20. |
Jonas Shish to the Navy Commissioners. We intend to
launch the Hampshire next Wednesday or Thursday. I desire
you to think what ship may be most convenient to go into the
dry dock in her room. [Ibid. No. 88.] |
| March 20. |
J. Uthwat to [? Samuel Pepys]. Desiring to know whether
the William, hired to serve as a man-of-war, is to have ensigns
and pendants, other hired ships formerly having had them.
[Ibid. No. 89.] |
| March 20. |
Capt. Roger Strickland to Sir William Penn. Certifying that
he is very well satisfied with the bearer, Timothy Bridge, formerly
master of the Success under his command, who desires to go
again in the said ship. [Ibid. No. 90.] Enclosed, |
|
Trinity House certificate of Bridge's competency. 12 Oct.,
1664. [Ibid. No. 90 i.] |
| March 26. |
The Officers at Deptford to the Navy Commissioners. Reporting on the condition of the prize ships, Zealand, Searider and
Stathouse of Haarlem. The first two they find not worth repairing, the third, if repaired, would make a good man-of-war.
[Ibid. No. 91.] |
| March 26. |
Affidavit by Robert Lawrence. Whereas affidavit has been
made by William Waite and George Adamson that John Hills,
Henry Miles and John Taylor were not on service in the Golden
Hart fireship against the Dutch, I affirm they were on that
service in the said ship and in the boats, for which Capt. Charles
Juxon and the rest of her men have received bills for their
reward, and that Thomas Lanum and Walter Medley, whose
names were not as yet given in, were also at the said service.
At the foot, |
|
Affidavit by Joseph Caswell that the contents of the above
affidavit are true, with this explanation, that part of the said
service was performed by the said parties in the boat of the
said ship. [Ibid. No. 92.] |
| March 28. |
William Fownes to Thomas Hayter. I have no order to enter
men on the Charles, Speedwell or Garland, but I have particular
warrants for the Sweepstakes, French Victory and Fountain. I
have indeed a general order to enter volunteers on all ships
ordered to sea, but know not which they are without advice
from you nor of the volunteers can I distinguish which are able
seamen and which not, as I am directed by that general order,
but I intend to have all examined by the master attendant
before I enter them. Pray procure warrants for the first three
ships with their number of men in the margin and I will send a
copy to the next checque, for we shall hardly get their full
complements while at Deptford. [Ibid. No. 93.] |
| March 29. |
Warrant to the Earl of Sandwich, Master of the Great Wardrobe, for delivery to Richard Smith, clerk of the checque to the
Yeomen of the Guard, of 50 short guns or bastard carbines
2 ft. 9 inches in the barrel and of 50 complete gilt partizans with
leather cases for the said Yeomen. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1,
Vol. 7, p. 85.] |
| March 30. |
Jonas Shish to the Navy Commissioners. About three years
ago my eldest son John built a ship at Arundel and being in the
country bought 140 loads of good plank and some compass
timber and knees, which now lie at Shoreham. I have spoke to
him to give his Majesty credit for it on the monthly assignment
on the Customs, which he is willing to do and will deliver it into
any vessels you appoint at Shoreham free from all charges, the
plank at 68s. the load, good compass timber at 54s. the load,
knees at 65s. the load, 2 feet and 18 inch treenails reduced to
2 feet in length at 48s. 6d. per thousand. I understand Capt.
Perriman is loading a ketch for Portsmouth, which may be
convenient to bring the plank to London. [S.P. Supplementary
137, No. 94.] |
| March 30. |
Sir William Reeves to Sir William Penn. Requesting him to
favour the bearer, Peter Belbin, with the master's place of the
Monck. [Ibid. No. 95.] Enclosed, |
|
Certificate by Captains H. Terne, William Badiley and Sir
Roger Cuttance that the bearer, Peter Belbin, master of the
Hampshire, is a person of civil life and conversation, bears
good affection to his Majesty and the present government and
is very fitly qualified for the said employment. 28 Feb.,
1661[—2]. [Ibid. No. 95 i.] |
|
Similar certificate by Capt. Henry Terne. 18 Dec., 1662.
[Ibid. No. 95 ii.] |
|
Trinity House certificate of Belbin's competency. 18 March.
1662[—3]. [Ibid. No. 95 iii.] |
