Having a natural taste and liking for vessels, it almost follows that Charles was fond of being on the water. He possessed also an exceedingly good knowledge of ships. And all historians concur in the fact that he had a strong inclination for philosophical pursuits and mechanics, and that at any time, in any place, with any person, he would discourse upon his favorite hobby—naval affairs and shipbuilding. "It was his only pleasure," said the Duke of Buckingham. Indeed, during the early part of the reign of Charles, two-thirds of the money granted him by Parliament was expended upon his Navy. Furthermore, according to Pepys, "he possessed a transcendent mastery of all maritime knowledge," and "two leagues' travel at sea was more pleasure to him than twenty by land." It is also recorded that the King "usually attended the launching of a new ship, the day being specially arranged to suit his convenience; and that he was accustomed to visit the dockyards on other occasions also." We find him desiring "for his own satisfaction and use to have an account of the Just Rake of all the upright-stemmed ships in his Royal Navy, and the present seat of each ship's main mast." He also was much interested in establishing the Royal Philosophical Society, to which he presented Irish lands,—intended as a substantial gift.
We must remember that shipbuilding then was believed to descend from father to son in some occult manner. In this respect the family of Petts was thought to be especially favored. Peter
