In the autumn of 1664, Anthony Deane – then of no title – was issued a warrant to go to Harwich and assume the role of Master Shipwright, not just a promotion from his current role of Assistant Shipwright at Woolwich, but an important tactical decision for the safety of England.
As discussed previously, this was a period of ongoing hostilities with the Dutch, and Harwich was considered a significant port largely due to its proximity to the Netherlands, so fortifying & supplying it was a must. Deane’s role was fairly unique, as there had not been anyone with his specific responsibilities at Harwich dockyard before, and after he left for Portsmouth in 1668 his successors had a slightly different job description, due to changes at the yard.
Several ships were built during Deane’s time at Harwich, by his own hand: smaller vessels like the Spy, Francis, and Roebuck, but also major warships such as the Rupert (named after Prince Rupert, who also had a small sloop called the Fanfan built for him) which, as explained by Deane’s friend Samuel Pepys, “succeeds so well as [Deane] hath got great honour by it, and I some by recommending him; the King, Duke, and every body saying it is the best ship that was ever built“, and the Resolution, described by storekeeper Silas Taylor as “a beautiful third-rate ship“.
Deane picked up his first major ‘title’ while at Harwich – in April 1667, with the French also a threat, there was a “Commission to Anthony Deane to be captain of a company which he is to raise, train, and exercise from amongst the workmen in Harwich yard, for the defence of the port in case of foreign invasion.” and so from this point he was known as Captain Deane. In 1672 he became Commissioner Deane, and then Sir Anthony Deane in 1675.
The previous month, in March 1667, the Duke of York was doing the rounds, visiting coastal ports to determine necessary fortifications, one such port being Harwich. The future King James II and his team made a round trip of Beacon Hill, Harwich dockyard, and Landguard fort, and among the decisions made was for a crane to be constructed at the dockyard. This was the Treadwheel Crane, which today sits at Harwich Green, but at the time was a modern necessity; while it is unclear whether Deane had a hand in building it himself, he certainly would have made good use of it by the end of his tenure.
Captain Deane was to leave Harwich in the spring of 1668, but would later return to fill various roles. Let us end with a description of Deane by Pepys, from around the time of his departure as Master Shipwright: “I do believe [Deane] to be a high, proud fellow; but he is an active man, and able in his way, and so I love him.“
Harwicensis 