And then the Prince, his Highness, called with a high voice in these words: 'Where be now these perjured fellows that dare thus abuse his Majesty with these false accusations?
Do they not worthily deserve hanging ?"' Thus Pett triumphed over all his enemies, and was allowed to finish the great ship in his own way.

By the middle of September 1610, the vessel was ready to be "strucken down upon her ways"; and a dozen of the choice master carpenters of his Majesty's navy came from Chatham to assist in launching her.

The ship was decorated, gilded, draped, and garlanded; and on the 24th the King, the Queen, and the Royal family came from the palace at Theobald's to witness the great sight.
Unfortunately, the day proved very rough; and it was little better than a neap tide.

The ship started very well, but the wind "overblew the tide"; she caught in the dock-gates, and settled hard upon the ground, so that there was no possibility of launching her that day.
This was a great disappointment.

The King retired to the palace at Greenwich, though the Prince lingered behind.