Richard Chapman (shipwright) facts for kids

Richard Chapman was a very important shipbuilder in England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known as the 'Queen's Master Shipwright,' which meant he was one of the best at building ships for the Queen and her country. He owned his own shipyard in a place called Deptford, which was a busy port on the Thames River.

Richard Chapman: Queen's Master Shipwright

Richard Chapman was born around 1520 and lived until about 1592. During his life, he played a big part in building ships for England's navy. He held the special title of 'Queen's Master Shipwright' for both Woolwich and Deptford. This job meant he was in charge of designing and building some of the most important ships for the Queen.

What Did a Master Shipwright Do?

A Master Shipwright was like a chief engineer and builder for ships. They were experts in how ships were put together, from the wood used to the way the sails would catch the wind. Richard Chapman worked with other famous shipbuilders of his time, like Peter Pett and Mathew Baker. Together, they also helped build defenses along the Thames River to protect London from attacks.

The Famous Ark Royal

One of Richard Chapman's most famous projects was building the first Ark Royal. This ship was originally ordered as a private ship, called the Ark Ralegh. However, while it was still being built, Queen Elizabeth I decided it was so important that she took it over for the royal navy. The Ark Royal became one of the most powerful ships in the English fleet and played a key role in defending England.

Chapman's Family and Legacy

Shipbuilding was a family tradition for Richard Chapman. His father, John Chapman, was also a Master Shipwright. Richard also had strong connections to another very important shipbuilding family, the Petts. His mother, Ann Pett, came from this family, and Richard even grew up in the Pett household.

The Chapman family itself had a long history of working with ships. Many family members were sailors or shipbuilders. Their roots seemed to be in Devon, and some lived in Greenwich, working on ships since the time of King Edward I (who lived from 1239 to 1307).

Richard's son, Edmund Chapman, also became important in the Queen's service. He was the 'Chief Joiner' to the Queen, meaning he was in charge of fine woodworking and carpentry for royal buildings and ships. Edmund owned a lot of land in Greenwich. He even provided land for special homes for people in need, called 'Queen Elizabeth College' almshouses, which were started in 1574. Edmund himself lived in a house called 'Swanne House.'