From this period to the year 1637, Pett records nothing of
particular importance in his autobiography. He was chiefly
occupied in aiding his son Peter--who was rapidly increasing his
fame as a shipwright--in repairing and building first-class ships
of war. As Pett had, on an early occasion in his life, prepared
a miniature ship for Prince Henry, eldest son of James I., he now
proceeded to prepare a similar model for the Prince of Wales, the
King's eldest son, afterwards Charles II. This model was
presented to the Prince at St. James's, "who entertained it with
great joy, being purposely made to disport himself withal." On
the next visit of his Majesty to Woolwich, he inspected the
progress made with the Leopard, a sloop-of-war built by Peter
Pett. While in the hold of the vessel, the King called Phineas
to one side, and told him of his resolution to have a great new
ship built, and that Phineas must be the builder. This great new
ship was The Sovereign of the Seas, afterwards built by Phineas
and Peter Pett. Some say that the model was prepared by the
latter; but Phineas says that it was prepared by himself, and
finished by the 29th of October, 1634. As a compensation for his
services, his Majesty renewed his pension of 40L. (which had been
previously stopped), with orders for all the arrears due upon it
to be paid.
To provide the necessary timber for the new ship, Phineas and his
son went down into the North to survey the forests.
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