FOUNDATION OF THE NAVY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 12 January 1931, Page 8

FOUNDATION OF THE NAVY

The earlier and middle parts of the reign of Edward 111. were particularly famous for the power of the English fleet, and naval affairs improved under Henry IV. and Henry V. Notwithstanding this, and the fact that the first slnp (Great Harry) deserving the name of a ship of war. was built in the reign of Henry VII., it is generally held that, according to the strict sense of the word, a “permanent navy” did not exist until the reign of Henry VIII. In his reign the Admiralty Office was established, although it was not until much later that the Board of Admiralty, as at. present constituted, took shape. -Public dockyards were established at Woolwich, Deptford, and Portsmouth, and a number of men-of-war were built. The King appointed commissioners to superintend the civil affairs of the B»vy, and settled the rank of pay of admirals, vice-ad-mirals, and inferior officers, thus creating a national navy, and raising the officers to a separate and distinct profession. Laws relating to the planting and preservation of trees for shipbuilding purposes were passed, and Henry established tire' fracternities or guilds of the Trinity House at Deptford, Hull, and Newcastle, and built the castles of Deal, Walmer, Sandgate, and Hurst for the protection of his fleet and of the coast'.