Your lordship's creature,
Phineas Pett.
Chatham, 10th April 1623.
To the Right Hon. Lord Marquis of Buckingham, Lord High Admiral of England, give these.
VIII
Protest of Trinity House against the Building of the Sovereign
[S.P. Dom. Chas I. cclxxiii. 25]
Right Honourable,—Being informed that his Majesty is minded to build a great ship of these dimensions (namely) 124 foot by the keel, in breadth 46 and for draught in water 22 foot, these strange and large dimensions gave us cause to fall into discourse, and in our discourse fell on these particulars following, namely:
That a ship of this proportion cannot be of use, nor fit for service in any part of the King's Dominions; and as unfit for remote service: our reasons—
First, there is no port within this kingdom (the Isle of Wight only) that can in safety harbour this ship, then it followeth, if she be not in port then is she in continual danger, exposed to all tempests, to all storms, that time shall bring. In a desperate estate she rides in every storm: in peril she must ride, when all the rest of her companions (his Majesty's ships) enjoys peace, rides quiet and safe in port: for example, we have the Prince in her voyage to Spain for his Majesty in foul weather, when all the fleet harboured in the Port of Plymouth, the Prince she only might not, for she could not, she too big, her draught too much, the wild sea must be her port; in the Sound of Plymouth must she ride, her anchors and cables her safety. If either of them fail, the ship must perish, 4 or 500 men must die, and the King must lose his Jewel; and this will be the state of this ship.