Page:The history of yachting.djvu/218

98 On November 16, 1665, Pepys records that, at Erith he was "in despair to get the pleasure-boat of the gentlemen," who finally agreed that he might have it, he "pleading the King's business." These gentlemen—Col. Francis Wyndham and Mr. John Ashburnham—were both distinguished Loyalists, and were among the earliest private yacht owners in England.

February 2, 1666, Pepys records: "Lord Brouncker with the King and Duke upon the water to-day, to see Greenwich house, and the yacht Castle is building."

Greenwich House was the first part of the stately palace begun in the reign of King Charles, and completed during the reign of William and Mary. For many years it was a home for aged and disabled seamen. To-day it stands a noble monument to the memory of King Charles and its renowned architects, Inigo Jones and Sir Christopher Wren.

Among the scientific projects in which King Charles also interested himself was the establishment of the Greenwich Observatory, from which longitude is reckoned. The hill on which the observatory stands was named in honor of John Flamsteed, the first astronomer-royal, who received his appointment in 1675.

The yacht that Castle was building at Rotherhithe, was the Monmouth; length of keel, 52 feet; breadth, 19 feet 6 inches; depth, 8 feet; draught, 7 feet 3 inches; 103 tons. She carried a crew of 30 men and 8 guns, and was of almost the same dimensions as the Henrietta, built three years before,