 | Sir Francis Drake 1540-January 27th, 1596 Sir Francis Drake was born in 1540, but the month of his birth is unknown. He was born in Tavistock, England. He devoted most of his life to becoming an accomplished sailor. In 1567, he was given his first ship at age twenty. He used his ship to trade between The Thames in England and the cross-channel ports. in 1568, Drake made his first voyage to the New World. He then spent many years trading with the New World and returning riches to England. On May 24th, 1572, with seventy-five men and two vessels, Drake left Plymouth, England with plans to raid Spanish colonies in the Caribbean. England and Spain were in a competition for riches and Drake deeply wanted England to win. He was very successful with his raids and returned to England with his acquired riches. These feats helped him to become known as a daring and brillant sea captain. |
Due to his success during the Caribbean raids, Queen Elizabeth I sent Drake in 1577 on a raid against the Spanish along the Pacific coast of the South America. After drawbacks from bad weather, Drake finally landed on the Pacific Coast and emerged successful, once again, from his raids of the Spanish colonies. He eventually made his way up the coast of North America and claimed land in the name of England, it is now called "Drake's Bay" and is just north of present day San Francisco. When Drake finally returned to England in 1579, he brought with him many spices and spanish treasure. The Queen was so pleased that she knighted Drake.
In 1585, Drake left England again in order to plunder Spanish colonies on the east coast of North America. He sacked the Spanish colonies of Santo Domingo and Cartagena, and then captured the fort of San Augustin. After his raids, Drake stopped in to Roanoke Island. There he found Governor Lane and his men on the island and asked if they wished to return to England. Since they were starving and had a very strained relationship with the natives, they agreed to leave. Along with Lane and his men, Drake also brought tobacco with him to England.
Despite Drake's invasions, Spain continued to grow in power, and began attacking English Ships. 1587, Drake, as vice admiral, went to war against Spain. This is the same war that delayed John White from returning to his colony. English was successful int he war, and Drake continued on his voyages. In 1595 during a voyage to the Caribbean, Drake contracted dysentery and died in 1596.
