Great Harry
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:55 pm
This 10c. stamp depicts the somewhat fanciful painting by Holbein, in the National Maritime Museum, of the Henry Grace A Dieu (Great Harry), the pride of Henry VIII's Navy. Henry VIII, because he established the beginnings of present-day naval law and administration, has been called the "father" of our Navy. The Great Harry, as his subjects christened the ship, the largest and most famous of his vessels, was launched in 1514, Woolwich Dockyard having grown up round her building. She measured 1,000 tons, whereas the King had only three other ships of 700 tons or over. Her 384 guns (estimates vary) were mostly very small, but the heavier ones had ports cut for them through the ship's side.
The ship was accidentally burnt in 1553. She was probably designed and built-by the Clerk of the Ships, Robert Brygandine, under the supervision of the naval architect, William Bond. At the time of her launching she was scheduled for a complement of 700, made up of 400 sailors, 260 soldiers and 40 gunners. Besides the soldiers—for boarding and capturing—there is further evidence that she was intended primarily for sea combat in mediaeval style in the proposed provision of 5,000 bowstrings, 4,000 sheaves of arrows, 2,000 bows and 500 suits of armour.
Sea Breezes 9/72
Paraguay SG? Grenada SG3153
The ship was accidentally burnt in 1553. She was probably designed and built-by the Clerk of the Ships, Robert Brygandine, under the supervision of the naval architect, William Bond. At the time of her launching she was scheduled for a complement of 700, made up of 400 sailors, 260 soldiers and 40 gunners. Besides the soldiers—for boarding and capturing—there is further evidence that she was intended primarily for sea combat in mediaeval style in the proposed provision of 5,000 bowstrings, 4,000 sheaves of arrows, 2,000 bows and 500 suits of armour.
Sea Breezes 9/72
Paraguay SG? Grenada SG3153