Though frequently engaged in the
most injurious occupations, she continued fit for any services
which the exigencies of the State might require. She fought all
through the wars of the Commonwealth; she was the leading ship of
Admiral Blake, and was in all the great naval engagements with
France and Holland. The Dutch gave her the name of The Golden
Devil. In the last fight between the English and French, she
encountered the Wonder of the World, and so warmly plied the
French Admiral, that she forced him out of his three-decked
wooden castle, and chasing the Royal Sun, before her, forced her
to fly for shelter among the rocks, where she became a prey to
lesser vessels, and was reduced to ashes. At last, in the reign
of William III., the Sovereign became leaky and defective with
age; she was laid up at Chatham, and being set on fire by
negligence or accident, she burnt to the water's edge.
To return to the history of Phineas Pett. As years approached,
he retired from office, and "his loving son," as he always
affectionately designates Peter, succeeded him as principal
shipwright, Charles I. conferring upon him the honour of
knighthood. Phineas lived for ten years after the Sovereign of
the Seas was launched. In the burial register of the parish of
Chatham it is recorded, "Phineas Pett, Esqe. and Capt., was
buried 21st August, l647."[33]
Sir Peter Pett was almost as distinguished as his father.
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