VICE ADMIRAL
Sir Francis Drake
Email Rex Woodmore: [email protected]
CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE WORLD
in a single expedition
Drake carried out the second circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition, from 1577 to 1580, and was the first to complete the voyage as captain while leading the expedition throughout the entire circumnavigation.
With his incursion into the Pacific he inaugurated an era of privateering and piracy in the western coast of the Americas—an area that had previously been free of piracy.
With his incursion into the Pacific he inaugurated an era of privateering and piracy in the western coast of the Americas—an area that had previously been free of piracy.
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE
His Life
1543(?) - Sir Francis Drake born.
- 1553 - Richard Eden publishes A Treatyse of the Newe India. First book in England to describe the new geographical knowledge.
- 1554 July 25 - Queen Mary I and Philip Prince of Spain marry. Philip is proclaimed King of England, July 1554, as consort of Queen Mary I, Elizabeth's I's half sister.
- 1556-98 - Reign of King Philip II of Spain.
- 1558 - Queen Mary Tudor dies and Philip's title as King of England lapses. Elizabeth Tudor becomes Queen of England at the age of 25.
- 1562 - John Hawkins, Drake's cousin, embarks on a slave trade expedition to West Africa and West Indies.
- 1566-1567- Drake sails with Captain Lovell to the Caribbean on a slave trading enterprise.
- 1567 October 2 - Drake sails with John Hawkins to New World where they are trapped by Spanish fleet that attacks and kills 500 Englishmen. Drake narrowly escapes on the Judith
- 1570-71 - Drake sails to the West Indies.
- 1571 - William Cecil named Lord Burghley, (1520-1598). Elizabeth's chief minister from her accession until his death in 1598.
30 TONS OF SPANISH GOLD & SILVER!!
Stolen by Francis Drake & Guillaume Testu.
In 1573 Guillaume le Testu and Sir Francis Drake together, attacked a Spanish mule train escorting gold and silver to Nombre de Dios on the Atlantic coast of Panama. The attack was a complete success. There was almost 30 tons of gold and silver so much treasure that the privateers were unable carry all the silver off and buried an estimated 10 tonnes of silver.
80,000-100,000 pesos in gold was taken by the privateers and Le Testu's share came to £20,000 (a huge amount in those days). But he didn't get to spend any of it, he was captured by the Spanish who killed him.
The Spaniards recovered 11 gold bars valued at 6,300 pesos,belonging to their king. |
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES
1577
. 1578 - Thomas Doughty, an officer on the circumnavigation voyage and Drake's personal friend was charged with conspiracy and hanged
- 1579 February 15 - On the circumnavigation, the Golden Hind reaches Callao, the harbor of Lima, Peru.
- 1579 March 1 - Drake overtakes the Spanish ship Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, nicknamed, Cacafuego. This ship proved to be Drake's richest plunder.
Drake in another sailing ship 'the Golden Hind' is the First Englishman to sail around the world.
Long given up for dead, Drake and the small ship, returned, to the amazement of the locals, into Plymouth Harbour in September 1580. The crew had dwindled from 70 to only 56 men returning with Drake three years after setting sail and 36,000 miles later.
Drake landed the Golden Hind at Saltash, with a massive treasure of gold and jewels worth about half a billion pounds in today's money. Queen Elizabeth's share was more than England's annual national debt.
Long given up for dead, Drake and the small ship, returned, to the amazement of the locals, into Plymouth Harbour in September 1580. The crew had dwindled from 70 to only 56 men returning with Drake three years after setting sail and 36,000 miles later.
Drake landed the Golden Hind at Saltash, with a massive treasure of gold and jewels worth about half a billion pounds in today's money. Queen Elizabeth's share was more than England's annual national debt.
Sir Charles Drake’s journey is one of the greatest voyages in history. On a ship barely 100 feet long, weighing 120 tons, with primitive navigational aids, Drake sailed right around the globe and brought back a huge treasure.
1579 June-July - Drake discovers the coast of Upper California and names it New Albion. Drake stops in what is now the vicinity of the San Francisco Bay to overhaul his ship and makes friendly contract with the Indians of the area.
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1579 November 3 - Lands at Ternate in the East Indies. Makes a treaty with the Sultan and buys a cargo of cloves.
- 1580 January - Drake sails to Java, across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope and arrives back in Plymouth on September 26
- 1581 - Francis Drake is knighted by Queen Elizabeth.
- 1581 - Drake buys the first of his Devonshire estates, Buckland Abbey
- 1581 - Sir Francis Drake becomes mayor of Plymouth.
- 1585 - Drake raids and destroys many Spanish settlements in the Caribbean.
- 1587 - On the orders of Queen Elizabeth, Drake attacks, and destroys, the Spanish Fleet at Cadiz.
1588 - 29 July
Letter from Drake to Sir Francis Walsington
Transcription by A. Jokinen.
Right Honourable,This bearer came aboard the ship I was in in a wonderful good time and brought with him as good knowledge as we would wish, his surefulness1therein is worthy recompense, for that god hath given us so good a day in forcing the enemy so far to leeward, as I hope in God the Prince of Parma and the Duke of Sidonia shall not shake hands this few days. And upon so ever they shall meet, I believe neither of them will greatly rejoice of this day's service. The town of Callys2 hath seen some part thereof, whose mayor Her Majesty is beholding3 unto. Business commands me to end. God bless Her Majesty our gracious sovereign and give us all grace to live in his favour. I assure your Honour this day's service hath much appalled the enemy, and no doubt has encouraged our army. From aboard her Majesty's good ship the Revenge, this 29th July 1588.
Your Honour's most ready to be commanded,
Francis Drake.
There must be great care taken to send us munition and victual wither so ever the enemy goeth. Yours, Fra. Drake.
Letter from Drake to Sir Francis Walsington
Transcription by A. Jokinen.
Right Honourable,This bearer came aboard the ship I was in in a wonderful good time and brought with him as good knowledge as we would wish, his surefulness1therein is worthy recompense, for that god hath given us so good a day in forcing the enemy so far to leeward, as I hope in God the Prince of Parma and the Duke of Sidonia shall not shake hands this few days. And upon so ever they shall meet, I believe neither of them will greatly rejoice of this day's service. The town of Callys2 hath seen some part thereof, whose mayor Her Majesty is beholding3 unto. Business commands me to end. God bless Her Majesty our gracious sovereign and give us all grace to live in his favour. I assure your Honour this day's service hath much appalled the enemy, and no doubt has encouraged our army. From aboard her Majesty's good ship the Revenge, this 29th July 1588.
Your Honour's most ready to be commanded,
Francis Drake.
There must be great care taken to send us munition and victual wither so ever the enemy goeth. Yours, Fra. Drake.
1589 - The Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex sailed with the expedition commanded by Drake and Norris against Spain and Portugal. Although Elizabeth's favorite for many years, he finally led an insurrection against her, and was executed.
- 1592/3 New Year's Day - Drake presents Queen Elizabeth with manuscript with text the basis of which was later published as "Sir Francis Drake Revived." 1592/93.
- 1595 - Queen Elizabeth sends Drake and Hawkins to attack Spanish settlements in the West Indies, (Porte-Rico).
- 1596 January 28 - Drake dies of dysentery on the return journey after failing to capture Panama City.
- 1603 March 24 Queen Elizabeth dies.
Email Rex Woodmore: [email protected]