DRY ROT IN SHIPS.
235
"so many of other kynde, that is to say, of elme, asshe, aspe, or
"beeche, as shall make up the sayde numbre of xii standilles or
"storers, lykely to prove and to be tymber trees."
The penalty was 3s. 4d. for every standill so not left standing,
half of this to go to the Crown, the other half "to the partie
that wyl sue for the same."
The Navy owes much to Henry VIII, for he reconstituted
the Admiralty, founded the. Trinity House and established the
dockyards at Deptford, Woolwich and Portsmouth. The board
of "Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Navy" com-
monly called the "Navy Board" dates from his reign. His
predecessors usually themselves managed whatever naval forces
they possessed, assisted by their Privy Council and by a "Clerk"
or "Keeper" of the King's Ships. In Edward VI's reign there
were attempts to restrict the felling of oaks as well as to preserve
naval timber on the Thames to supply Deptford dockyard.
Elizabeth's first Parliament passed an Act to preserve ship
timber near the coast, but prices were rising and the royal forests
were a source of revenue to the crown, and there were "prodigal
"grants of cutting rights." Parliament was alarmed and in
1570 passed an Act which strengthened that of 1543. Burleigh
later took active steps against offenders and in 1580 had thirteen
acres of Windsor Park (Cranbourne Walk) sown with acorns,
this "oldest regular and authenticated plantation" developing
into a "wood of some thousands of tall young trees." Lord
Howard of Effingham protested against further grants to cut
timber, being grieved to think of the state of the woods and the
need for building and repairing the Queen's ships, which were
the jewels of her kingdom.
James I shared Elizabeth's view that our navy "is one of
"the chiefest defences of us and our realm against the malice
"of any foreign potentate," but he was even more in need of
funds, and directed a survey to be made in the Royal forests
and other estates of the Crown of all timber fit for felling to
discover what quantities might be spared, leaving sufficient
for the Royal Navy.3 Timber proved a valuable source of
revenue easy to tap, and the forests were exploited both
3 Oak was not used only for ships. "In times past, Men were contented to dwell in Houses
builded of Sallow, Willow, etc., so that the Use of Oak was, in a Manner, dedicated wholly unto
Churches, Religious Houses, Princes Palaces, Navigation, etc. ; but now Sallow, etc., are rejected
and nothing but Oak in any way regarded." Holinshed.