428 Proceedings of the 



of his opponents. This wise policy enabled him to carry into effect 

 his plans for the internal improvement of the kingdom. 



Mr. Knowles carried on the history through the succeeding 

 reigns, and showed that England was prosperous, or otherwise, as 

 the navy was encouraged or neglected. 



During the reign of Edward the First, the galleys were substi- 

 tuted by larger ships, called galleons ; these, however, were rude 

 in form, fitted with one mast only, and little capable of navigation, 

 unless they sailed in the direction that the wind blew : these ships 

 were fitted with regular castles for the reception of archers or cross- 

 bow men. 



Naval architecture and naval science, shortly after this period, 

 underwent a complete alteration; for in 1302 the compass was 

 discovered by Gioija ; and in 1346 cannon were introduced into the 

 field, and shortly after into ships : these circumstances combined, 

 brought about a great increase of size in our ships of war, as it 

 required them to be larger than had formerly been used, to carry 

 the guns ; and the compass enabled men to put fearlessly to sea 

 into deep water, and not confine themselves to coasting. 



Henry the Seventh was the first king, since Alfred, who con- 

 structed ships expressly for naval warfare ; he laid down a memo-^ 

 rable ship, the Great Harry, which, however, was not completed 

 till the succeeding reign. This ship measured 138 feet in length, 

 and 36 feet in breadth, and carried 80 guns of different calibre. 

 The Great Harry had four lower masts and a bowsprit, a round 

 bow, and projecting prow ; she had castles forwards, amidship, 

 and abaft, making four on each side. 



Henry the Eighth paid great attention to the navy, and esta- 

 blished the dock-yards at Woolwich, Deptford, and Portsmouth, 

 and appointed a navy board for their management. 



Ehzabeth was equally as attentive as her father had been to 

 naval affairs ; she ordered that guns of the same calibre should be 

 carried on the same deck in all ships ; — she also founded the dock- 

 yard at Chatham. During her reign the chain-pumps, capstans, 

 and other improvements were introduced. 



James the First continued the same politic views, and appointed 

 Mr. Phineas Pett, a graduate of the university of Cambridge, to 

 the situation of naval constructor. This able man built the Prince 

 Royal, Sovereign of the Seas, and other ships, upon scientific 

 principles, and carried naval architecture, during this and the next 

 reign, to a great height. 

 Mr.Knowles commenced his Second Lecture {May 16), by stating,. 



