Meanwhile Pett's enemies had been equally busy. They
obtained a private warrant from the Earl of Northampton[25] to
survey the work; "which being done," says Pett, "upon return of
the insufficiency of the same under their hands, and confirmation
by oath, it was resolved amongst them I should be turned out, and
for ever disgraced."
But the lords appointed by the King now interfered between Pett
and his adversaries. They first inspected the ship, and made a
diligent survey of the form and manner of the work and the
goodness of the materials, and then called all the accusers
before them to hear their allegations. They were examined
separately. First, Baker the master shipbuilder was called. He
objected to the size of the ship, to the length, breadth, depth,
draught of water, height of jack, rake before and aft, breadth of
the floor, scantling of the timber, and so on. Then another of
the objectors was called; and his evidence was so clearly in
contradiction to that which had already been given, that either
one or both must be wrong. The principal objector, Captain
Waymouth, next gave his evidence; but he was able to say nothing
to any purpose, except giving their lordships "a long, tedious
discourse of proportions, measures, lines, and an infinite rabble
of idle and unprofitable speeches, clean from the matter."
The result was that their lordships reported favourably of the
design of the ship, and the progress which had already been made.
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