Wreck of English Third Rate ship, Anne Royal, Tilbury Hope (EHER 82420)

1636 wreck of English Third Rate ship of the line which was bilged when she took the ground at Tilbury Hope, on her arrival at Tilbury from Chatham and/or Gillingham. She was afterwards weighed and taken to Blackwall but was judged too expensive to repair and instead broken up. Constructed of wood as a galleon in 1587 for Sir Walter Raleigh, she was purchased by the Crown and served as ARK ROYAL under Howard of Effingham against the Armada in 1588. She was renamed ANNE ROYAL on the accession of James I of England and was rebuilt in 1608.

Information from NRHE Letters from Lord Howard of Effingham during the Armada events, are dated from the ARK, i.e. the ARK ROYAL. <35> Wreck Event: 'Bilged on her own anchor and sunk.' <1> <2> <3> The wreck was only part broken up. <2> April 11 1636 Gravesend, 10 o'clock forenoon: Capt. Phineas Pett to Sec. Coke. This morning was on board the ARK ROYAL, where he saw a lamentable spectacle - the ship lying overthrown on her broadside, the after part of her keel (called the steege) being forcibly wrung off, with coming on ground, divers men drowned and some women, the master's wife being one. There is no way to get her upright till the victuals, ordnance and other provisions be taken out to lighten the ship, which must be done by cutting holes in her broadsides. Has ordered light castle [Newcastle?] ships to be brought to her for saving such things as can be at present come by, and is posting to Chatham for cables to be used in weighing her . . . <4> April 14 1636, Trinity House: James Hockett and others of the Trinity House . . . Have been to Tilbury Hope and have examined all the circumstances of the great casualty. The ship was brought to an anchor by the pilot and master, where they conceived there would have been no danger, but the water ebbing more than they expected, the ship grounded some 8 or 10 inches, which could no ways have offended the ship if she had not been defective, and this defect the writers conceive to be the cause of her loss . . . Suggest means to be adopted to prevent the ship from coming farther into the channel, which done the EAGLE . . . and 4 or 5 colliers will . . . raise her upright, when her ordnance with other provisions will be saved. For saving the body of the ship, the writers conceive it cannot be done. <5> April 19 1636:..information derived from Henry Goddard, one of the King's shipwrights . . . Goddard reported "that he had heard from one that heard it from the pilot" that took the ship from Gillingham to the Hope, that Peter White, master of the ship, interfered with the pilot in the steerage of the ship . . . and contrary to the pilot's advice, leaving the ship unmoored. [ . . . a memorandum of Sec. Coke that "the master, when the steward told him that the hold was full of water, hoisted the topsails and so overset the ship, which had fallen flat, if the mainyard, being stricken, had not held her up."] <6> April 20 1636: Examination of Francis Merrick . . . late pilot of the ANNE ROYAL . . . Was charged by Thomas Austen, one of the 4 principal masters of the Navy, to conduct the ANNE ROYAL from Gillingham to Tilbury Hope. They weighed anchor on Friday 8th April between 9 and 10 in the morning, and sailing down Gillingham Reach, examinant bade him that was at the helm "starboard", whereupon the master . . . bade him "port". Examinant, thinking the master to be mistaken, bade "starboard" again, and the master cried "port" again, whereupon examinant told the master he would run the ship ashore if he kept that course. The master answered he knew the river as well as examinant. Then Rabenett, the boatswain, told the master there was a flat . . . nevertheless he that was at the helm did starboard and so they escaped the flat. They anchored at Leigh that night, and next day weighed in a stiff gale, the ship being so tender-sided that she would not bear her sail but by laying her ports in the water. At the lower end of the Hope, examinant desired to anchor. The master said they should not, which troubled examinant . . . After a time, the water being about 8 fathom in the middle of the channel, they anchored with a small bower, and the master told examinant he might go ashore if he would. Examinant asked the master if he would moor the ship; he answered `no.' The pilot told him if the charge were his he should moor her. The master refused. Examinant went ashore, leaving the ship, as he conceived, in no danger. P.S. If the sails had not been set open, the ship could not have miscarried, as he thinks. <7> April 20 1636: Examination of Thomas Rabenett, late boatswain of the ANNE ROYAL. They have cut holes in the sides of the ship to take out the goods of Sir John Pennington and of the master, which the master and lieutenant first began to do. The gunner cut a hole for his clothes, so did the carpenter, though forbidden to do so by examinant. Agrees that there was a difference between the pilot and master in Gillingham Reach. Conceives the anchor was let fall in not above 5 fathom and a half at high water and at low 17ft. The ship drew 17'4". They lay safe until two hours [before?] flood, which was at 9 at night, but at 7 they began to heave the capstan to come up nearer the anchor, intending to weigh, and then in the heaving, about 9 the ship suddenly fetched a sheer, and so struck upon a bank or wreck, and suddenly made a seel, and then presently the water came in "forcible" abaft in the bread room or steward's room, which filled the ship. Then the master commanded the foresail and topsail to be set, and cut her cable, thinking to run her near the shore, which cast her all upon her side, as she now lies. So they shot four pieces of ordnance for help which came and saved some of them. Examinant discovered no defect until this accident, only on a particular survey some rotten timber appeared. <8> April 22 1636: Examination of Peter White, late master of the ANNE ROYAL, taken by Sec. Windebank. States the circumstances of the ship's removal from Chatham to Tilbury Hope pretty much as previous witnesses had done . . . save that . . . he denies he ever contradicted him [the pilot] . . . He describes the catastrophe thus: Soon after 8 (in the evening of the 9th inst.) the flood coming on, she floated again, and sheered in a whole cable's length to the north of her anchor, where she was in 4 fathom and a half of water, not complaining any way, for aught he could perceive. Then she took ashore offwards to the south, and touched upon some bank, and made a seele, and presently they cried out in hold there was a great leakage, and whilst they were loosing the foresail and topsail to run her to the north shore, the ship suddenly overset to the larboard side, so they cut her cable and she cast with her head thwart the channel. Her masts, yards and sails are safe, only they cut the two topmasts and bowsprit by the board, by order of the officers. He saith they have since cut 4 holes in the ship aloft, in the painted works, to recover money and goods. The ship is since righted of herself 10 or 12 foot. <9> April 23 1636: Report of Kenrick Edisbury on the measures taken to save the ordnance and provision of the ANNE ROYAL . . . Mr Bulmer the engineer came to Edisbury with letters from the Lords signifying the King's pleasure [that he should be employed to raise the sunk ship . . . He, with Edisbury, Capt. Pett, and others, then proceeded to the ship, after viewing which Bulmer demanded a great ship to bear two capstans which Mr Willoughby had offered to supply from his quay . . . Edisbury had also sent the master attendant and others to the ship to search the place of her leak. <10> April 23 1636. William Willoughby and John Taylor to the Officers of the Navy. Proposition for raising the ANNE ROYAL, saving all her ordnance and provisions, and carrying the ship out of the river. This proposition was in opposition to that intended to be acted upon by Mr Bulmer, the difference . . . consisting mainly in this, that Bulmer proposed to raise the ship as she then was, the present proposers designed to stop the leak in the first instance and then to raise her, take out her ordnance, and by forcing the water out of her, enable her to swim. <11> April 23 1636. Examination of Robert Hill, late carpenter of the ANNE ROYAL, taken by Nicholas. What is expressed in the letter from Mr Austen and Nathaniel Apslyn is true concerning the hurt done to the ANNE by her anchor. <12> [April?] 1636. Proposition made to His Majesty by Thomas Horth and Matthew Goodwin, of Great Yarmouth, for weighing up the ANNE ROYAL and putting her into dock. The proposed undertakers offer to accomplish this work for 2,000l and the use of 40 men, with the hulk, and what other vessels, anchors, screws and cordage may be necessary. <13> May 11 1636, Tilbury Hope. Sir Henry Palmer and Capt. Phineas Pett to the same . . . have resolved . . . to proceed accordingly, to take advantage of the next spring tides. Enclosed: Peter White, Thomas Austen, Henry Goddard, Nathaniel Apslyn, William Willoughby and Thomas Wilson, to the Officers of the Navy. Suggest that 14 colliers of good burthen be moored, 7 on each side of the ANNE ROYAL, bows to the ship, and that with these the ship be weighed. That being weighed, she is to be hauled by degrees into shoal water on the Essex shore, where her ports are to be caulked up, when she will be fit to be turned from side to side, and upon the ebb of a spring tide her keel may be brought above water for stopping the main leak, so that she may be able to be brought into dock . . . Underwritten is an estimate of cost . . . 400l for wages and victuals for a month of 200 men to attend the work on board the EAGLE. <14> June 1 1636, Mincing Lane. Officers of the Navy to Lords of the Admiralty. Are informed . . . that there is great hope to make her tight and swim by the middle of next week. Remind the Lords . . . there is a convenient dock in the old East India Yard at Deptford . . . that may well take her in, and there they advise that some of her planks be ript off between wind and water the better to have an exact survey made of her present state. PS. Since writing the above they are informed that it will be better to bring her into dry dock at the East India Yard, Blackwall. <15> June 7 1636, Chatham Hill. Kenrick Edisbury to Nicholas. This day the coalships are to weigh the ANNE [ROYAL] intending to lay her on harder ground, because she is sunk in the ooze 3 or 4 feet. All the guns save 2 pieces were had out of her on Saturday. <16> June 14 1636, Deptford. Kenrick Edisbury to same [Nicholas] . . . The leak in the ANNE ROYAL is now stopped, but she was not righted yesterday, and therefore the masters cannot discharge the colliers. The breach was by the anchor flook [sic]. It fastened upon a skarve [scarf] in the keel, and broke the timber 10 feet off, which is as sound and strong as when it was laid. Such an accident might have wrought the like on any new ship . . . Has been aboard the EAGLE close by the ANNE ROYAL twice the last week, where he observed all the projects in the world would do small good to such a bulk of weight. It was mere force of tackle, and nothing else could prevail. <17> July 14 1636. Officers of the Navy to the Lords of the Admiralty . . . for weighing the ANNE ROYAL, 1,208l, 9s . . . <18> [This is one item in a bill of accounts totalling 202,024l 0s 5d, which amount is cited in source (3) as the cost for the ANNE ROYAL alone.] July 15 1636. Officers of the Navy to the Lords of the Admiralty. The ANNE ROYAL has been afloat in her dock since Wednesday last, and is now moored afloat wending every tide; she yet draws 18 feet water astern, but the emptying her ballast is hourly in hand, and when the masters have brought her as light as may be, they intend to ply her up the river towards the dry dock at Blackwall. Her leaks employ two chain pumps with 100 men day and night, and must do so until she be brought into dry dock. <19> July 23 1636. Robert Smyth to Nicholas . . . The ANNE ROYAL is at Erith, and will speedily be brought into the East India Dock. <20> August 5 1636, Chatham. Kenrick Edisbury to Nicholas . . . Are in great hopes to have the ANNE ROYAL into Blackwall dock tomorrow or on Monday. Sir Henry Palmer is to come to Chatham on Monday and to go together to London on Tuesday to settle that business touching the ANNE. <21> August 13 1636, Westminster. Robert Smyth to Nicholas . . . The ANNE ROYAL was brought into dock at Blackwall on Tuesday last. <22> August 15 1636, Chatham. Kenrick Edisbury to Nicholas . . . the ANNE ROYAL, which is safely anchored in the dock at Blackwall . . . <23> August 26 1636, Chatham. Officers of the Navy to Lords of the Admiralty. His Majesty's shipwrights . . . certify that 200,000 treenails will be needful to be provided in store for His Majesty's yards, and the repairing of the ANNE ROYAL, for next year. <24> August 29 1636. Officers of the Navy to Lords of the Admiralty. Having been eyewitnesses of the extraordinary pains which Peter White took, both day and night, in weighing the ANNE ROYAL (he being the principal engineer of that work) . . . <25> November 11 1636, Chatham. Kenrick Edisbury to the same [Nicholas] . . . They have taken a survey of the hull of the ANNE ROYAL . . . <26> November 12 1636, Chatham. Officers of the Navy to the Lords of the Admiralty. Acknowledge their neglect in not returning an account of the ANNE ROYAL taken on the 28th October last . . . When the ship was brought into Blackwall there was no other dock fit to receive her . . . They present the survey, with an estimate of the charge to render her a serviceable ship, which amounts to 4,810l . . . If the Lords think it meet . . . to bring the ANNE ROYAL into some of His Majesty's docks, the writers conceive by breadthening the dock at Deptford 6 inches . . . she may be brought there for 500l. <27> November 25 1636. Officers of the Navy to the Lords of the Admiralty. Send certificates of the Trinity masters, the master shipwrights of the Thames, and His Majesty's master shipwrights, touching the repair of the ANNE ROYAL. Enclosed: [47.I] Masters of the Trinity House to the Officers of the Navy . . . The writers are clearly of the opinion that it will be more serviceable to build a new ship than repair the old. The hull to be sold may yield 300l. [47.II] Master Shipwrights to the same. 1. The repairs of the hull of the ANNE ROYAL will be 4,310l, and for her masts 700l; total, 5,010l. 2. She may be repaired in 12 months . . . 5. The hull may be sold for 300l. <28> November 28 1636, Windsor. Notes by Nicholas . . . Concerning the present state of the ANNE ROYAL and to know the King's pleasure whether she should be repaired or a new ship be built in her place. <29> February 22 1636/7. Answer by Peter White, to the several articles of accusation brought against him in reference to the loss of the ANNE ROYAL, of which ship he was master. He was accused: 1. of contradicting the pilot in coming down the Medway; 2. of not coming to an anchor when the main topsail split; 3. that he turned the pilot ashore; 4. of not mooring the ship; 5. that he was negligent after the ship was aground, whereby the ship was bilged on her own anchor. The 1st article he denied; the 2nd he explained, admitting the fact, but affirming they anchored as soon as the pilot directed; the 3rd he denied; in answer to the 4th and 5th he explained what really was done, and when and how the ship was moored, and gave his version of the cause of the accident. <30> February 25 1636/7 . . . warrant [to the Lords of the Admiralty] for sale of the prize ship the ANNE ROYAL. <31> March 2 1637. Petition of Peter White to the Lords of the Admiralty . . . Had been master of divers of His Majesty's ships for 12 years . . . nor ever brought any ship into danger until this unfortunate mischance of the ANNE ROYAL, in which his own loss was exceeding great. <32> Secondary Sources: Prior History: Built 1587 as ARK RALEIGH, and bought from Sir Walter Raleigh for £5,000. Commanded by Admiral Lord Howard as the flagship of the Plymouth squadron in 1588. Rebuilt 1603 as the ANNE ROYAL. Sank in the River Thames, April 1636. <36> 'In 1636 the ANNE ROYAL was wrecked at Tilbury because she was anchored in too shallow water. Two men, whose names appear in the list of the brethren of Trinity House, drawn up in February 1629, were intimately involved in the disaster: Peter White was master, while Francis Merrick (or Merritt) was the river pilot. Merrick was employed as a pilot for ships of the East India Company, and there can have been few doubts concerning his competence. The fact that both men belonged to Trinity House did not result in amity - indeed this may have been the root of the trouble. White . . . found fault with the pilotage of the ship from Gillingham to Tilbury, although he denied having contradicted Merrick's orders. According to Merrick, White declared that he knew the river as well as he did, and ignored Merrick's advice on a possible anchorage. Merrick said that in view of this slight he asked to be put ashore, although he seems to have raised no objections to the anchorage ultimately selected. This was unfortunate, for the ship was wrecked. The Privy Council instituted an inquiry into the disaster. Trinity House was consulted and submitted that the fault lay in the structure of the ship: merchant ships, they claimed, suffered no damage in similar circumstances. If the Council was out to find a scapegoat, this was not a helpful report. The argument used by the Corporation was the same as that used in defence of Holland some sixty-five years previously. The Council was not satisfied with the explanation of Merrick and he was told to find a surety of £500 to guarantee his appearance in case he was required for further questioning.' <33> ARK ROYAL (ex. ARK RALEIGH). Galleon of 55 guns, 694 tons BM, built Deptford 1587. Renamed ANNE ROYAL and rebuilt Woolwich 1608. Wrecked April 1636 in Tilbury Hope and broken up. <34> NB: There are two entries for this vessel in the United Kingdom Shipwreck Index, under Thames (BG), giving the place of loss as Tilbury Hope <2>; and under Kent Mainland (BD), giving the place of loss as the Medway <3>. Built: 1587 <2> <3> <34> Where Built: Deptford <2> <3> <34> Rebuilt: 1608 <2> <3> <34> Where Rebuilt: Woolwich <2> <3> <34> Owner: Royal Navy <1> - <37> Armament: 4 x 60pdr; 12 x 18pdr; 12 x 9pdr; 6 x 6pdr (2)(3); 4 x 60pdr; 4 x 30pdr; 12 x 18pdr; 12 x 9pdr; 6 x 6pdr; 17 small guns <34> Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of loss