Place Name
Vice-Admiral of England Sir Thomas Spert (also spelt Pert) (died December 1541) was sailing master of the Mary Rose and Henry Grace a Dieu (better known as the Great Harry) the flagships of Henry VIII’s navy. He was Comptroller of the Royal Navy and the founder, in 1508, and first Master of Trinity House, the private corporation for maritime affairs in London. It was originally based at Deptford but later moved to Limehouse. Spert, remained in favour of the Monarch, and was granted the office of ballasting ships on the River Thames, which office he was to hold ‘during pleasure’ at a fee of £10 a year. Spert Island off the coast of Antarctica is named for him.
