Henri Grace a Dieu

Henry Grace à Dieu by Anonymous
Source: wikimedia commons

13th June 1514, Woolwich Dockyards, London. King Henry VIII flagship, Henri Grace a Dieu, was launched and became the most advanced, biggest (50m long) and heavily armed (43 cannons) warship carrack in the world at that time. "Great Harry" (as nicknamed) was first ship build in Woolwich Dockyard. First Royal dockyards were built at Portsmouth during Henry VII reign with the main purpose to build trade ships. Henry VIII had different priorities - threats from France and Spain make it essential to building warships. Woolwich and Deptford are located close to London, at Thames river.

"(...) there was a threat of war from England's Catholic neighbours, France and Spain. Portsmouth was a long way from the Armouries in the Tower of London, where all ships were equipped with cannon and artillery. To make the building of warships more convenient, Henry decided to build two dockyards on the Thames in 1513. These would be close to London where it was easier to get arms, supplies for building the ships and a ready labour force. Henry chose Woolwich and Deptford as his sites as they were also conveniently near his Palace at Greenwich, which meant that he could watch the shipbuilding in progress." Source: The Royal Dockyards of Deptford and Woolwich 

Soon it became apparent that ship is too heavy therefore in 1536 was rebuild which make Great Harry lighter by 1 000 tons. Although powerful ship saw little action. The most known naval battle in which Henri Grace a Dieu take part was Battle of the Solent, against the French navy. More often act as diplomatic vessel e.g. taking Henry VIII to the summit with Francis I of France in June of 1520. After Henry VIII death ship fate is unknown - one theory is that was destroyed by fire at Woolwich in 1553.

Woolwich dockyard by Nicholas Pocock
Source: wikimedia commons

Woolwich dockyards, beside Henri Grace a Dieu, give birth to many ships including such notable as:

• 1610 - HMS Prince Royal - first warship with three complete gun decks (55 cannons)
• 1751 - HMS Dolphin - first ship that twice circumnavigate around the world
• 1820 - HMS Beagle - on which Charles Darwin make his famous voyage to Galapagos

Woolwich Dockyard was closed in 1869 as the Thames silt up which make impossible to launch ships. Shipbuilding was moved then to Chatham and Plymouth dockyards.

Primary sources:

[1] Wikipedia
[2] Royal Museums Greenwich - The Royal Dockyards of Deptford and Woolwich