She was
the largest ship that had yet been constructed in England.
The Prince Royal was, at the time she was built, considered one
of the most wonderful efforts of human genius. Mr. Charnock, in
his 'Treatise on Marine Architecture,' speaks of her as abounding
in striking peculiarities. Previous to the construction of this
ship, vessels were built in the style of the Venetian galley,
which although well adapted for the quiet Mediterranean, were not
suited for the stormy northern ocean. The fighting ships also of
the time of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth were too full of
"top-hamper" for modern navigation. They were oppressed by high
forecastles and poops. Pett struck out entirely new ideas in the
build and lines of his new ship; and the course which he adopted
had its effect upon all future marine structures. The ship was
more handy, more wieldy, and more convenient. She was
unquestionably the first effort of English ingenuity in the
direction of manageableness and simplicity. "The vessel in
question," says Charnock, "may be considered the parent of the
class of shipping which continues in practice even to the present
moment."
It is scarcely necessary to pursue in detail the further history
of Phineas Pett. We may briefly mention the principal points.
In 1612, the Prince Royal was appointed to convey the Princess
Elizabeth and her husband, The Palsgrave, to the Continent.
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