He was
the builder of the first frigate, The Constant Warwick. Sir
William Symonds says of this vessel:-- "She was an incomparable
sailer, remarkable for her sharpness and the fineness of her
lines; and many were built like her." Pett "introduced convex
lines on the immersed part of the hull, with the studding and
sprit sails; and, in short, he appears to have fully deserved his
character of being the best ship architect of his time."[34] Sir
Peter Pett's monument in Deptford Old Church fully records his
services to England's naval power.
The Petts are said to have been connected with shipbuilding in
the Thames for not less than 200 years. Fuller, in his 'Worthies
of England,' says of them--"I am credibly informed that that
mystery of shipwrights for some descents hath been preserved
faithfully in families, of whom the Petts about Chatham are of
singular regard. Good success have they with their skill, and
carefully keep so precious a pearl, lest otherwise amongst many
friends some foes attain unto it."
The late Peter Bolt, member for Greenwich, took pride in being
descended from the Petts; but so far as we know, the name itself
has died out. In 1801, when Charnock's 'History of Marine
Architecture' was published, Mr. Pett, of Tovil, near Maidstone,
was the sole representative of the family.
Footnotes for Chapter I.
[1] This was not the first voyage of a steamer between England
and America.
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