The London
The London is in Ships.
The The London was built by Captain John Taylor.
Pepy's Diary. 24 Apr 1660. This morning I had Mr. Luellin and Mr. Sheply to the remainder of my oysters that were left yesterday. After that very busy all the morning. While I was at dinner with my Lord, the Coxon of the Vice-Admiral came for me to the Vice-Admiral to dinner. So I told my Lord and he gave me leave to go. I rose therefore from table and went, where there was very many commanders, and very pleasant we were on board the London, which hath a state-room much bigger than the Nazeby, but not so rich. After that, with the Captain on board our own ship, where we were saluted with the news of Lambert's (age 40) being taken, which news was brought to London on Sunday last. He was taken in Northamptonshire by Colonel Ingoldsby, at the head of a party, by which means their whole design is broke, and things now very open and safe. And every man begins to be merry and full of hopes. In the afternoon my Lord gave a great large character to write out, so I spent all the day about it, and after supper my Lord and we had some more very good musique and singing of "Turne Amaryllis", as it is printed in the song book, with which my Lord was very much pleased. After that to bed.
Pepy's Diary. 11 Jan 1661. Office day. This day comes news, by letters from Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], that the Princess Henrietta (age 16) is fallen sick of the meazles on board the London, after the Queen (age 51) and she was under sail. And so was forced to come back again into Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] harbour; and in their way, by negligence of the pilot, run upon the Horse Sand. The Queen (age 51) and she continue aboard, and do not intend to come on shore till she sees what will become of the young Princess. This news do make people think something indeed, that three of the Royal Family should fall sick of the same disease, one after another.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Mar 1665. Though a bitter cold day, yet I rose, and though my pain and tenderness in my testicle remains a little, yet I do verily think that my pain yesterday was nothing else, and therefore I hope my disease of the stone may not return to me, but void itself in pissing, which God grant, but I will consult my physitian. This morning is brought me to the office the sad newes of "The London", in which Sir J. Lawson's (age 50) men were all bringing her from Chatham, Kent [Map] to the Hope, and thence he was to go to sea in her; but a little a'this side the buoy of the Nower, she suddenly blew up. About 24 [men] and a woman that were in the round-house and coach saved; the rest, being above 300, drowned: the ship breaking all in pieces, with 80 pieces of brass ordnance. She lies sunk, with her round-house above water. Sir J. Lawson (age 50) hath a great loss in this of so many good chosen men, and many relations among them. I went to the 'Change [Map], where the news taken very much to heart.
Evelyn's Diary. 09 Mar 1665. I went to receive the poor creatures that were saved out of the London frigate, blown up by accident, with above 200 men. .
Evelyn's Diary. 16 May 1665. To London, to consider of the poor orphans and widows made by this bloody beginning, and whose husbands and relations perished in London frigate, of which there were fifty widows, and forty-five of them with child. See Sinking of The London.
Pepy's Diary. 10 Mar 1665. Up, and to the office all the morning. At noon to the 'Change [Map], where very hot, people's proposal of the City giving the King' (age 34) another ship for "The London", that is lately blown up, which would be very handsome, and if well managed, might be done; but I fear if it be put into ill hands, or that the courtiers do solicit it, it will never be done.
Pepy's Diary. 11 Mar 1665. Up and to the office, at noon home to dinner, and to the office again, where very late, and then home to supper and to bed. This day returned Sir W. Batten (age 64) and Sir J. Minnes (age 66) from Lee Roade, where they have been to see the wrecke of "The London", out of which, they say, the guns may be got, but the hull of her will be wholly lost, as not being capable of being weighed.
Evelyn's Diary. 08 Jun 1666. Dined with me Sir Alexander Fraser (age 56), prime physician to his Majesty (age 36); afterward, went on board his Majesty's (age 36) pleasure-boat, when I saw the London frigate launched, a most stately ship, built by the City to supply that which was burnt by accident some time since; the King (age 36), Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, being there with great banquet.
Evelyn's Diary. 28 Jun 1667. Here in the river off Chatham, Kent [Map], just before the town, lay the carcase of the "London" (now the third time burnt), the "Royal Oak", "James", etc., yet smoking; and now, when the mischief was done, we were making trifling forts on the brink of the river. Here were yet forces, both of horse and foot, with General Middleton (age 59) continually expecting the motions of the enemy's fleet. I had much discourse with him, who was an experienced commander, I told him I wondered the King (age 37) did not fortify Sheerness [Map] and the Ferry; both abandoned.
