She was to bring over the Prince of
Wales's bride from France. While the preparations were making
for the voyage, news reached Chatham of the death of King James.
Pett was afterwards commanded to go forward with the work of
preparing the Prince Royal, as well as the whole fleet, which was
intended to escort the French Princess, or rather the Queen, to
England. The expedition took place in May, and the young Queen
landed at Dover on the 12th of that month.
Pett continued to be employed in building and repairing ships, as
well as in preparing new designs, which he submitted to the King
and the Commissioners of the Navy. In 1626, he was appointed a
joint commissioner, with the Lord High Admiral, the Lord
Treasurer Marlborough, and others, "to enquire into certain
alleged abuses of the Navy, and to view the state thereof, and
also the stores thereof," clearly showing that he was regaining
his old position. He was also engaged in determining the best
mode of measuring the tonnage of ships.[31] Four years later he
was again appointed a commissioner for making "a general survey
of the whole navy at Chatham." For this and his other services
the King promoted Pett to be a principal officer of the Navy,
with a fee of 200L. per annum. His patent was sealed on the 16th
of January, 1631. In the same year the King visited Woolwich to
witness the launching of the Vanguard, which Pett had built; and
his Majesty honoured the shipwright by participating in a banquet
at his lodgings.
Pages:
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70