William Castle (shipbuilder)

William Castle or Castell of Rotherhithe (c.1615–1681) was a shipbuilder for the Royal Navy and occasionally for the East India Company. He is mentioned more than once in the Diary of Samuel Pepys.

HMS Mordaunt

Life edit

He was the son of William Castle (d.1649) shipwright at Redriff (now known as Rotherhithe) and his wife Margaret (d.1635). His younger brother Thomas was also a shipwright. He entered the Royal Navy in 1629 as a ship's carpenter.[1]

Samuel Pepys first mentions Castle in 1664, commenting on the appearance of his wife.[2]

He is buried with his parents in the floor of Bermondsey Parish Church.[3]

Family edit

In 1636 he married Elizabeth. On 5 July 1663 he married (as a second wife) Martha Batten, daughter of Sir William Batten, Surveyor of the Navy.

His son William Castle died in 1696. A younger son John Castle died in 1700.

Ships of note edit

Ships by William Castle the Younger edit

References edit

  1. ^ "William Castle (1629-1681)".
  2. ^ "Shipbuilding – Castles Shipbreaking".
  3. ^ "William Castell - MarineLives".