The Explorers Podcast · Monday, August 31, 2026
Walter Raleigh commissioned the construction of a large warship, the 'Ark Raleigh,' a 1,100-ton vessel with three banks of guns and four masts. He designed it with the Queen's master shipwright, Richard Chapman, and sold it to Queen Elizabeth for 500 pounds.
“Another thing that Raleigh did was build a new ship, which was called Ark Raleigh. It was a big sucker, 1,100 tons. And it had three banks of guns and four masts.”
“Raleigh had designed the ship with the Queen's master shipwright, Richard Chapman. He would then sell it back to the queen for a princely, 500 pounds.”
“The ship would be renamed Ark Royal and go on to be the flagship of the fleet in the coming battle with Spain.”