By far the most important event, however, in connect ion with English merchant shipping after the defeat of the Armada was the formation of the Company of Merchant Adventurers for trading to the East Indies
Later known as the East India Company
1600 The first charter to the company was granted by Queen Elizabeth on December 31st, 1600.
As their first venture, they had built and fitted out at Deptford by private builders a small fleet of four ships and a pinnace, totalling about 1500 tons, which left the Thames for the East in February, 1601.
The expedition was a great success, the enormous profits made induced the Company to take land at
Deptford Creek, form a shipyard, and become its own
shipbuilder. The launches of some of its ships were
often honoured by the presence of royalty ; and, on some
occasions, the ceremony of christening was performed
by the monarch himself. A destructive fire, however,
eventually occurred in the yard, and destroying nearly the
whole of the premises, shipbuilding was abandoned by
the Company, its vessels being afterwards built in
private yards in the neighbourhood.