The largest was of forty
tons burthen, with twelve men; and the smallest was a boat of six
tons, with three men.[13]
James I., on his accession to the throne of England in 1603,
called in all the ships of war, as well as the numerous
privateers which had been employed during the previous reign in
waging war against the commerce of Spain, and declared himself to
be at peace with all the world. James was as peaceful as a
Quaker. He was not a fighting King;- and, partly on this
account, he was not popular. He encouraged manufactures in wool,
silk, and tapestry. He gave every encouragement to the
mercantile and colonizing adventurers to plant and improve the
rising settlements of Virginia, New England, and Newfoundland.
He also promoted the trade to the East Indies. Attempts
continued to be made, by Hudson, Poole, Button, Hall, Baffin, and
other courageous seamen, to discover the North-West passage, but
always without effect.
The shores of England being still much infested by Algerine and
other pirates,[14] King James found it necessary to maintain the
ships of war in order to protect navigation and commerce. He
nearly doubled the ships of the Royal Navy, and increased the
number from thirteen to twenty-four. Their size, however,
continued small, both Royal and merchant ships. Sir William
Monson says, that at the accession of James I. there were not
above four merchant ships in England of 400 tons burthen.
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