The ship-building principally carried out well into the 17th century was by Robert Tranckmore,
whose yards were near the west end of the High Street on the south side. Hereabouts stood
the “Fountain Inn”, the carved oak chimney-piece removed from this house now fixed in the
Marlipins Museum, High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea has upon it a carving of the Arms of the
Shipwright’s Company and it is not unlikely that Tranckmore was a member of that body and
that he had the Arms carved and placed in what was possibly his own residence. The Arms
were granted to the company in 1605 and this approximately fixes the date of the carving, or
rather corresponds with the probable date of it and with Tranckmores occupancy of the house.

 

The centre panel has a representation of the Arms of the Shipwrights Company of London, on a
shield the hulk of a vessel above which a cross, a lion on the latter. Crest – On a helmet a Noah’s
ark with dove with wings expanded.

The dove does not appear on the Shoreham carving and the motto of the company, “Within the
Ark safe forever” is likewise absent. The left hand panel shows a ship afloat, the right hand gives
a view of the parish church.

Robert Tranckmore who may have been a descendant of the Trenchmeres who figured in the history
of the town during the twelfth century, was the noted shipbuilder at this time. We learn from the
minutes of the East India Company that they agreed with him, in July 1619 to build a ship at Shoreham.

It was the usual custom at this period for a vessel on her completion to be furnished with as many
pieces of ordnance as her owner deemed necessary for her defence, for this purpose warrants
known as Trinity House Certificates were issued.

They are known to have been granted in respect of the following ships built by Tranckmore at
Shoreham, five of them were of 300 tons a fair size for those days, four of 200, and one each
of 180, 150 and 140 tons.

The dates given are those of the certificates:-
27th September 1625, the “Thomas Bonadventure” (200 tons)
4th January 1626, the “Garland” of London (150 tons)
28th October 1627, a ship on the stocks unfinished. (300 tons)
15th July 1629, the “Mary and John” of London. (200 tons)
14th October 1629, a ship unnamed. (200 tons)
25th November 1629, the “Content” of London. (300 tons)
5th June 1630, the “Charles” of London. (300 tons)
27th July 1631, the “Joan Bonadventure”
5th May 1632, the “Confident” (300 tons)
6th July 1633, the “Joseph” of London. (120 tons)
28th September 1633, the “Thomas and John” of London. (200 tons)
7th May 1636, the “Blessing” of Dover.
25th June 1636, the “Ann and Sarah. (180 tons)

In February 1628 Robert Tranckmore obtained the contract to build one of ten pinnaces for the
Government, a transcription of the indenture can be seen, these were small craft of about 185 tons
and were provided with sweeps as well as sails. They were three-masted and square-rigged
carrying ten guns on two decks and were built after the model of a ship called the “Lion” and
so were called “Lions Whelps” being numbered from one to ten.

Tranckmore built the “Tenth Lions Whelp” costing £596 17s 9d, his receipts for payment are
preserved in the Record Office.

On June 11th 1628 Captain John Pennington wrote to Sir Edward Nicholas, Secretary to the
Admiralty requesting a warrant for John Tranckmore to take charge as master of the “Tenth Lions
Whelp” built by his brother, Nicholas Tranckmore was appointed carpenter and John More a
native of Shoreham, boatswain a warrant being issued by the Lord High Admiral to press seamen
for her.

The "Tenth Lions Whelp" went over to the Royalists after the fall of Bristol in 1643 and was
recaptured by Parliament forces in 1645. Was at Helvoetsluys with the Earl of Warwicks fleet in
1648, and was fitted out as a fireship for Blake's pursuit of Prince Rupert to Lisbon in 1650.
She was used for convoy work and despatches during the first Dutch war. Sold "by the candle"
(a form of auction-a pin is stuck in the side of a candle and the last bid made before the pin falls wins)
on 19th October 1654 to Jacob Blackpath for £410

A John Tranckmore is mentioned as master of the “Shoreham” in 1634 when ten lasts of powder
were delivered to him to be transported to Ireland.



Information taken from books “The Story of Shoreham” and “Ships and Mariners of Shoreham”
both by Henry Cheal