He nearly doubled the ships of the Royal Navy, and increased the number from thirteen to twenty-four.

Their size, however, continued small, both Royal and merchant ships.

Sir William Monson says, that at the accession of James I.there were not above four merchant ships in England of 400 tons burthen.[15] The East Indian merchants were the first to increase the size.

In 1609, encouraged by their Charter, they built the Trade's Increase, of 1100 tons burthen, the largest merchant ship that had ever been built in England.

As it was necessary that, the crew of the ship should be able to beat off the pirates, she was fully armed.