The East India Company's Yard at Deptford.

Repro ID: BHC1873

Description: The East India Company's Yard near Deptford Creek, with several ships on the stocks. The ships used by the Company were initially purchased privately as required. Losses from wear, tear and wreck took their toll and large ships suitable for the Eastern trade were soon at a premium, some costing as much as £45 per ton. In 1607, the Company therefore decided to build its own ships and leased a yard in Deptford. Initially, this change of policy was found to be fully justified, the first ships costing the Company about £10 per ton. However, the shipbuilding and maintenance yards at Deptford soon proved highly expensive to run. The Company, ever eager to save money, had second thoughts and later on in the 17th century reverted to the practice of hiring vessels, many of which were built in the private yards at Deptford and Blackwall.

Creator: Unknown

Date: 17th Century

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London