In the following year, Phineas succeeded in attracting the notice
of Matthew Baker, who was commissioned to rebuild Her Majesty's
Triumph. Baker employed Pett as an ordinary workman; but he had
scarcely begun the job before Baker was ordered to proceed with
the building of a great new ship at Deptford, called the Repulse.
Phineas wished to follow the progress of the Triumph, but finding
his brother Joseph unwilling to retain him in his employment, he
followed Baker to Deptford, and continued to work at the Repulse
until she was finished, launched, and set sail on her voyage, at
the end of April, 1596. This was the leading ship of the
squadron which set sail for Cadiz, under the command of the Earl
of Essex and the Lord Admiral Howard, and which did so much
damage to the forts and shipping of Philip II. of Spain.
During the winter months, while the work was in progress, Pett
spent the leisure of his evenings in perfecting himself in
learning, especially in drawing, cyphering, and mathematics, for
the purpose, as he says, of attaining the knowledge of his
profession. His master, Mr. Baker, gave him every encouragement,
and from his assistance, he adds, "I must acknowledge I received
my greatest lights." The Lord Admiral was often present at
Baker's house. Pett was importuned to set sail with the ship
when finished, but he preferred remaining at home.
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