The East India Company's Yard and buildings near Deptford Creek. In 1607, the Company decided to build its own ships and leased a yard in Deptford. Initially, this change of policy was fully justified, but the shipbuilding and maintenance of these yards at Deptford soon proved highly expensive to run. Later in the 17th century, the Company reverted to the practice of hiring vessels, many of which were built in the private yards at Deptford and Blackwall. In 1660 the East India Company yard consisted of a dock and two slipways on the site at Deptford Creek,

BHC1873 East India Company's Yard at Deptford, circa 1660