Biography of Christopher Pett Shipbuilder 1620-1688

On 04 May 1620 Christopher Pett Shipbuilder was born to Phineas Pett Shipwright.

In 1650 Mary was launched. She had been constructed at the Woolwich Dockyard, Kent by Christopher Pett Shipbuilder (age 29).

Minutes of the Royal Society. 11 Jun 1662. 82. Royal Society Meeting Minutes.

Sir Robert Moray (age 54) President.

[his half-brother] Dr Petty's (age 51) brother (age 42) showed the Society a draft of the pleasure boat he is to make for the King (age 32).

Lord Berkeley of Berkely (age 13) presented the Society with a Bird of Paradise having two feet.

Dr Goddard brought in a moth with feathered wings.

Mr Evelyn (age 41) presentd the Society with a book called 'The History of Chalcogrphij'.

Mr Ball to be asked to produce his 'Magnetick Instruments',

Mr Boyle1 presented the Society with a book of the 'Weight and Spring of Air'; and also with a glass tube filled with Minium, wherewith the experiment of filtering was made.

The Amanuensis to enquire about the depth of the water under the arches of London Bridge.

Mr Croone (age 28) to write to Dr Power about the trial of heat and cold in deep caves.

The Amanuensis to bespeak the long glass tube for the Torricellian Experiment.

Note 1. Not clear which Mr Boyle this is since Richard Boyle was elected 20 May 1663 and Robert Boyle (age 36) on 22 Apr 1663.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Jan 1663. Up and to my office, and there we sat till noon. I home to dinner, and there found my plate of the Soverayne with the table to it come from Mr. Christopher Pett (age 42), of which I am very glad.

Evelyn's Diary. 10 Aug 1663. We returned by Sir Norton's, whose house is likewise in a park. This gentleman is a worthy person, and learned critic, especially in Greek and Hebrew. Passing by Chatham, Kent [Map], we saw his Majesty's (age 33) Royal Navy, and dined at Commissioner Pett's (age 43), master-builder there, who showed me his study and models, with other curiosities belonging to his art. He is esteemed for the most skillful shipbuilder in the world. He hath a pretty garden and banqueting house, pots, statues, cypresses, resembling some villas about Rome. After a great feast we rode post to Gravesend, Kent [Map], and, sending the coach to London, came by barge home that night.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Oct 1663. Slept pretty well, and my wife waked to ring the bell to call up our mayds to the washing about 4 o'clock, and I was and she angry that our bell did not wake them sooner, but I will get a bigger bell. So we to sleep again till 8 o'clock, and then I up in some ease to the office, where we had a full board, where we examined Cocke's (age 46) second account, when Mr. Turner had drawn a bill directly to be paid the balance thereof, as Mr. Cocke (age 46) demanded, and Sir J. Minnes (age 64) did boldly assert the truth of it, and that he had examined it, when there is no such thing, but many vouchers, upon examination, missing, and we saw reason to strike off several of his demands, and to bring down his 5 per cent. commission to 3 per cent. So we shall save the King (age 33) some money, which both the Comptroller (age 64) and his clerke had absolutely given away. There was also two occasions more of difference at the table; the one being to make out a bill to Captain Smith for his salary abroad as commander-in-chief in the Streights. Sir J. Minnes (age 64) did demand an increase of salary for his being Vice-Admiral in the Downes, he having received but 40s. without an increase, when Sir J. Lawson (age 48), in the same voyage, had £3, and others have also had increase, only he, because he was an officer of the board, was worse used than any body else, and particularly told Sir W. Batten (age 62) that he was the opposer formerly of his having an increase, which I did wonder to hear him so boldly lay it to him. So we hushed up the dispute, and offered, if he would, to examine precedents, and report them, if there was any thing to his advantage to be found, to the Duke (age 29). The next was, Mr. Chr. Pett (age 43) and Deane (age 29) were summoned to give an account of some knees1 which Pett reported bad, that were to be served in by Sir W. Warren, we having contracted that none should be served but such as were to be approved of by our officers. So that if they were bad they were to be blamed for receiving them.

Note 1. "Naturally grown timber or bars of iron bent to a right angle or to fit the surfaces and to secure bodies firmly together as hanging knees secure the deck beams to the sides".-Smyth's Sailor's Word- Book. There are several kinds of knees.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Oct 1663. Thence we fell to talk of Warren's other goods, which Pett (age 43) had said were generally bad, and falling to this contract again, I did say it was the most cautious and as good a contract as had been made here, and the only [one] that had been in such terms. Sir J. Minnes (age 64) told me angrily that Winter's timber, bought for 33s. per load, was as good and in the same terms. I told him that it was not so, but that he and Sir W. Batten (age 62) were both abused, and I would prove it was as dear a bargain as had been made this half year, which occasioned high words between them and me, but I am able to prove it and will. That also was so ended, and so to other business.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Dec 1663. Thence back again, entertaining myself upon my sliding rule with great content, and called at Woolwich, Kent [Map], where Mr. Chr. Pett (age 43) having an opportunity of being alone did tell me his mind about several things he thought I was offended with him in, and told me of my kindness to his assistant. I did give him such an answer as I thought was fit and left him well satisfied, he offering to do me all the service, either by draughts or modells that I should desire.

Pepy's Diary. 30 Dec 1663. Up betimes and by coach to my Lord Sandwich (age 38), who I met going out, and he did aske me how his cozen, my wife; did, the first time he hath done so since his being offended, and, in my conscience, he would be glad to be free with me again, but he knows not how to begin. So he went out, and I through the garden to Mr. Coventry (age 35), where I saw Mr. Ch. Pett (age 43) bringing him a modell, and indeed it is a pretty one, for a New Year's gift; but I think the work not better done than mine. With him by coach to London, with good and friendly discourse of business and against Sir W. Batten (age 62) and his foul dealings.

Pepy's Diary. 25 Oct 1664. So home, in my way taking care of a piece of plate for Mr. Christopher Pett (age 44), against the launching of his new great ship tomorrow at Woolwich, Kent [Map], which I singly did move to His Royall Highness, and did obtain it for him, to the value of twenty pieces. And he, under his hand, do acknowledge to me that he did never receive so great a kindness from any man in the world as from me herein.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Apr 1665. This morning I was saluted with newes that the fleetes, ours and the Dutch, were engaged, and that the guns were heard at Walthamstow [Map] to play all yesterday, and that Teddiman's legs were shot off in the Royall Katherine. But before night I hear the contrary, both by letters of my owne and messengers thence, that they were all well of our side and no enemy appears yet, and that the Royall Katherine is come to the fleete, and likely to prove as good a ship as any the King (age 34) hath, of which I am heartily glad, both for Christopher Pett's (age 44) sake and Teddiman that is in her.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Apr 1666. So my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and I down to walk in the garden [at White Hall], it being a mighty hot and pleasant day; and there was the King (age 35), who, among others, talked to us a little; and among other pretty things, he swore merrily that he believed the ketch that Sir W. Batten (age 65) bought the last year at Colchester was of his own getting, it was so thick to its length. Another pleasant thing he said of Christopher Pett (age 45), commending him that he will not alter his moulds of his ships upon any man's advice; "as", says he, "Commissioner Taylor I fear do of his New London, that he makes it differ, in hopes of mending the Old London, built by him". "For", says he, "he finds that God hath put him into the right, and so will keep in it while he is in". "And", says the King (age 35), "I am sure it must be God put him in, for no art of his owne ever could have done it"; for it seems he cannot give a good account of what he do as an artist.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Aug 1666. All the morning at my office; then to the Exchange [Map] (with my Lord Bruncker (age 46) in his coach) at noon, but it was only to avoid Mr. Chr. Pett's (age 46) being invited by me to dinner.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Aug 1666. After dinner the young women went to dance; among others Mr. Christopher Pett (age 46) his daughter, who is a very pretty, modest girle, I am mightily taken with her; and that being done about five o'clock, home, very well pleased with the afternoon's work. And so we broke up mightily civilly, the bride and bridegroom going to Greenwich, Kent [Map] (they keeping their dinner here only for my sake) to lie, and we home, where I to the office, and anon am on a sudden called to meet Sir W. Pen (age 45) and Sir W. Coventry (age 38) at the Victualling Office, which did put me out of order to be so surprised. But I went, and there Sir William Coventry did read me a letter from the Generalls to the King (age 36)1, a most scurvy letter, reflecting most upon Sir W. Coventry (age 38), and then upon me for my accounts (not that they are not true, but that we do not consider the expence of the fleete), and then of the whole office, in neglecting them and the King's service, and this in very plain and sharp and menacing terms. I did give a good account of matters according to our computation of the expence of the fleete. I find Sir W. Coventry (age 38) willing enough to accept of any thing to confront the Generalls. But a great supply must be made, and shall be in grace of God! But, however, our accounts here will be found the true ones. Having done here, and much work set me, I with greater content home than I thought I should have done, and so to the office a while, and then home, and a while in my new closet, which delights me every day more and more, and so late to bed.

Note 1. The letter from Prince Rupert (age 46) and the Duke of Albemarle (age 57) to the King (age 36) (dated August 27th, from the "Royal Charles", Sole Bay [Map]) is among the State Papers. The generals complain of the want of supplies, in spite of repeated importunities. The demands are answered by accounts from Mr. Pepys of what has been sent to the fleet, which will not satisfy the ships, unless the provisions could be found "... Have not a month's provision of beer, yet Sir Wm. Coventry assures the ministers that they are supplied till Oct. 3; unless this is quickened they will have to return home too soon.... Want provisions according to their own computation, not Sir Wm. Coventry's, to last to the end of October" ("Calendar", 1666-67, p. 71).

Pepy's Diary. 24 Mar 1668. Up pretty betimes, and so there comes to me Mr. Shish (age 63), to desire my appearing for him to succeed Mr. Christopher Pett (age 47), lately dead, in his place of Master-Shipwright of Deptford, Kent [Map] and Woolwich, Kent [Map], which I do resolve to promote what I can. So by and by to White Hall, and there to the Duke of York's (age 34) chamber, where I understand it is already resolved by the King (age 37) and Duke of York (age 34) that Shish (age 63) shall have the place. From the Duke's chamber Sir W. Coventry (age 40) and I to walk in the Matted Gallery; and there, among other things, he tells me of the wicked design that now is at last contriving against him, to get a petition presented from people that the money they have paid to W. Coventry (age 40) for their places may be repaid them back; and that this is set on by Temple [Map] and Hollis (age 25) of the Parliament, and, among other mean people in it, by Captain Tatnell: and he prays me that I will use some effectual way to sift Tatnell what he do, and who puts him on in this business, which I do undertake, and will do with all my skill for his service, being troubled that he is still under this difficulty.

Calendars. 26 Mar 1668. Woolwich. Ann Pett to Sam. Pepys (age 35). My husband (age 47) died last Sunday, and has left me in a mean condition, having spent by losses and sickness my own estate and his, and I have 4 children and am £300. in debt. His sickness has cost, since he came to Woolwich, £700., besides what is now to pay. I intreat you to assist me in obtaining £500. due to my husband, as also money owing in the yard, and to stand my friend to the Navy Commissioners, that I may continue in my house some time longer; my husband always attended to his Majesty's service, and never looked after his own concerns. [Ibid. No. 71.]

Before 1688 Christopher Pett Shipbuilder (age 67) and Anne Pett were married.

On 22 Mar 1688 Christopher Pett Shipbuilder (age 67) died.