tender named the Darling, of 90 tons. This fleet sailed for the East Indies, and the Trades Increase was wrecked and lost at Bantam; Middleton died on board of her. The English East India Company, however, persevered, and, among other vessels, sent the Globe, Hector, Thomas, New Years Gift, Merchants Hope, and Solomon upon prosperous India voyages, until the profits of the Company in one year amounted to 236 per cent, on the capital invested.
In 1610 the Royal Prince was launched, at that time the largest ship that had been built in England. She is thus described by Stow: "A most goodly ship for warre, the keel whereof was 114 feet in length, and the cross-beam was 44 feet in length; she will carry 64 pieces of ordnance, and is of burthen 1400 tons. The great workmaster in building this ship was Master Phineas Pett, Gentlemen, some time Master of Arts at Emanuel College, Cambridge."
In 1612 the Shipwrights Company was incorporated by a charter granted to the "Master Warden and Commonalty of the Art or Mystery of Shipwrights"; and Phineas Pett was the first Master.
It is interesting to note that shipbuilding was regarded as "an art or mystery," and so continued for a considerable time. The first glimmering of science appeared during the reign of Charles II., and largely through the exertions and influence of the King.
In 1637 the Sovereign of the Seas, of 1637 tons
