While the commission was still sitting and holding what Pett
calls their "malicious proceedings," he was able to lay the keel
of his new great ship upon the stocks in the dock at Woolwich on
the 20th of October, 1608. He had a clear conscience, for his
hands were clean. He went on vigorously with his work, though he
knew that the inquisition against him was at its full height.
His enemies reported that he was "no artist, and that he was
altogether insufficient to perform such a service" as that of
building his great ship. Nevertheless, he persevered, believing
in the goodness of his cause. Eventually, he was enabled to turn
the tables upon his accusers, and to completely justify himself
in all his transactions with the king, the Lord Admiral, and the
public officers, who were privy to all his transactions. Indeed,
the result of the enquiry was not only to cause a great trouble
and expense to all the persons accused, but, as Pett says in his
Memoir, "the Government itself of that royal office was so shaken
and disjoined as brought almost ruin upon the whole Navy, and a
far greater charge to his Majesty in his yearly expense than ever
was known before."[24]
In the midst of his troubles and anxieties, Pett was unexpectedly
cheered with the presence of his "Master" Prince Henry, who
specially travelled out of his way from Essex to visit him at
Woolwich, to see with his own eyes what progress he was making
with the great ship.
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