Such was
the origin of the great East India Company--now expanded into an
empire, and containing about two hundred millions of people.
To return to the shipping and the mercantile marine of the time
of Queen Elizabeth. The number of Royal ships was only thirteen,
the rest of the navy consisting of merchant ships, which were
hired and discharged when their purpose was served.[11]
According to Wheeler, at the accession of the Queen, there were
not more than four ships belonging to the river Thames, excepting
those of the Royal Navy, which were over 120 tons in burthen;[12]
and after forty years, the whole of the merchant ships of
England, over 100 tons, amounted to 135; only a few of these
being of 500 tons. In 1588, the number had increased to 150, "of
about 150 tons one with another, employed in trading voyages to
all parts and countries." The principal shipping which frequented
the English ports still continued to be foreign--Italian,
Flemish, and German.
Liverpool, now possessing the largest shipping tonnage in the
world, had not yet come into existence. It was little better
than a fishing village. The people of the place presented a
petition to the Queen, praying her to remit a subsidy which had
been imposed upon them, and speaking of their native place as
"Her Majesty's poor decayed town of Liverpool." In 1565, seven
years after Queen Elizabeth began to reign, the number of vessels
belonging to Liverpool was only twelve.
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