Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1
1627
1 That you attend his Maiesties Ship the Due Repulse4 to goe to the westward and there to spend such tyme as is and shalbe assigned to vs by future Commands betweene the Isle of wight and the Coast of France and at Convenient tymes to put into Stoaks
2 And for better performance of our duties I doe recommend you these few provisions
3 That all the day you birth your selves as neere as you may south south east and North North west Crosse the Chanell some five or six miles one from the other and so from the Repulse each ship to take his birth as it shall fall out keeping the distance, And if any man shall discover a saile or sailes presently to give Chase first setteling once his maine top saile and shoote of one peece and so the next to her and then the rest if there shalbe Cause that so all may take knowledge, and in Case of divers Chases at 352once then each man to aply him selfe for the best as his advantage doth give leave and vpon the end and finishing of the businesse to make present repaire vnto the Repulse to give an accompte of all past That so my Lord Admirall from me may be informed according to my Instructions. And if any man take any ship and have lost the Repulse that then he direct himselfe and prise to Portsmouth or for the Downes to eyther as wind will best permitte, and presently vpon his arrivall to eyther to advise my Lord Admirall
4 If it shall happen that any man loose Companie of the Repulse that then vpon sight eyther of me or any of our fleet then to hoise and strike twice, and all other shipes to her to doe the like
5 The nightes short and you vnderstanding; small Instructions will suffice. At night to gather your selfes about the Repulse that so you may attend vpon the light, and when the dawning apeares about two of the Clocke to disperse your selves according to these my directions.
And these for this our short imployment I take to be sufficient.
If it shall happen that in giving of chase I cast of our long boate or any other of our boates that then if you be neerest to her you take her vp and when you may to bring her to vs. Vale
Richard Skipwith, in command of the Esperance, of Ipswich, who was, with his vessel, cast away in 1628. Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1628–1629, 376.
Son of Sir John Watts (d. 1616), Lord Mayor of London in 1606, and an active member of the Virginia company. The son served in the Cadiz expedition and was knighted for his good service in 1625. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas Bayning of Suffolk.
D. N. B.
, LX. 70; Visitations of Hertfordshire (H. S., Pub.
, XXII), 102. He was in command of the Triumph. W. L. Clowes, The Royal Navy, II. 65.
Also known as the Repulse. Cf. Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1627–1628.
1627-06-06
I received your letter from Gravesende, and doe blesse God for your safe arrivall there, but I heard not from you since, which I impute to the suddaine departure of your Captaine out of the Downes vpon the Dukes comminge thither; but I hope to heare from you soone, for I longe to vnderstande how you fare, and what entertainment you finde with your Captaine, that accordingly I may be stirred vp to prayer for you and to blesse God for his mercyes towardes you. I knowe not what further advise to give you, than you have allready received, and as your owne observation, vpon occasion, shall directe you: onely be carefull to seeke the Lorde in the first place, and with all earnestnesse, as he who is onely able to keepe you in all perills and to give you favour in the sight of those, who may be instrumentes of your wellfare: and account it a great pointe of wisdome, to keepe diligent watche ouer your selfe that you may neither be infected by 353the evill conversation of any that you may be forced to converse with, neither that your owne speeche or behaviour be any iust occasion to hurte or ensnare you. be not rashe vpon ostentation of valor, to adventure your selfe to vnnecessarye dangers, but if you be lawfully called, lett it appeare that you hould your life for him, who gave it you, and will preserve it vnto the furthest period of his owne holye decree, for you may be resolved, that while you keepe in your waye, all the cannons or enemyes in the worlde shall not be able to shorten your dayes one minute: for my parte, as a father who desires your wellfare as mine owne, I cease not daylye to commende you to God, beseechinge him, to preserve prosper and blesse you, that I may receive you againe in peace, and have assurance of enioying you in a better life, when your course heer shalbe finished. Your friendes heere (I prayse God) are all in healthe, and are daylye mindfull of you. Lett me heare from you so soone and ofte as you may conveniently. Remember my Love and service to your good Captaine. the Lord blesse you ever so I rest your loving father
W. 7A. 17; Savage (1825), I. 347–348; (1853), I. 416–417;
L. and L.
, I. 242–243.