ett as an ordinary workman; but he had scarcely begun
the job before Baker was ordered to proceed with the building of a
great new ship at Deptford, called the Repulse.

Phineas wished to follow the progress of the Triumph, but finding his
brother Joseph unwilling to retain him in his employment, he followed
Baker to Deptford, and continued to work at the Repulse until she was
finished, launched, and set sail on her voyage, at the end of April,
1596. This was the leading ship of the squadron which set sail for
Cadiz, under the command of the Earl of Essex and the Lord Admiral
Howard, and which did so much damage to the forts and shipping of
Philip II. of Spain.

During the winter months, while the work was in progress, Pett spent
the leisure of his evenings in perfecting himself in learning,
especially in drawing, cyphering, and mathematics, for the purpose, as
he says, of attaining the knowledge of his profession. His master, Mr.
Baker, gave him every encouragement, and from his assistance, he adds,
"I must acknowledge I received my greatest lights." The Lord Admiral
was often present at Baker's house. Pett was importuned to set sail
with the ship when finished, but he preferred remaining at home. The
principal reason, no doubt, that restrained him at this moment from
seeking the patronage of the great, was the care of his two
sisters,[19] who, having fled from the house of their barbarous
stepfather, could find no refuge but in that of their brother Phineas.
Joseph refused to receive them, and Peter of Wapping was perhaps less
able than willing to do so.

In April, 1597, Pett had the advantage of being introduced to Howard,
Earl of Nottingham, then Lord High Admiral of England. This, he says,
was the first beginning of his rising. Two years later, Howard
recommended him for employment in purveying plank and timber in Norfolk
and Suffolk for shipbuilding purposes. Pett accomplished his business
satisfactorily, though he had some malicious enemies to contend
against. In his leisure, he began to prepare models of ships, which he
rigged and finished complete. He also proceeded with the study of
mathematics. The beginning of the year 1600 found Pett once more out
of employment; and during his enforced idleness, which continued for
six months, he seriously contemplated abandoning his profession and
attempting to gain "an honest and convenient maintenance" by joining a
friend in purchasing a caravel (a small vess