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The famous ship used by Sir Francis Drake circa 1575.
On 15th November 1577 Drake, with the approval of Queen Elizabeth 1, set out
from Plymouth Sound with his small flotilla. This expedition was on a greater
scale than any previous exploration. Drake's flagship was the Pelican armed
with eighteen guns and weighing about one hundred tons. In addition there was
the Elizabeth under John Winter and the Marigold as well as a supply ship -
the Swan - and the Benedict.
In all there were one hundred and sixty men including Drake's younger brother
Thomas. There was also Captain Thomas Doughty of whom there was rumors of
betrayal which Drake would not accept.
Just days into the voyage the party had to return to Plymouth for repairs
after running into a storm and they did not depart again until December 13th.
Off the coast of Morocco some insignificant prizes were taken and fresh
stocks of fruit and fowl were gathered. Also a small vessel which took Drakes
fancy and he renamed the Christopher.
Next it was the Cape Verde Islands, where more stores were gathered before
the final push across the Atlantic. The voyage was shrouded with gloom and
seemed ill omened. By the time they reached River Plate superstition and
mistrust were rife among the crew and it became clear that the cause of this
was the dissent of Thomas Doughty.
Finally his treason came to light and Drake's fury boiled over. He ordered
trial for sedition. Doughty was tried by jury, convicted of mutiny and
sentenced to death. Doughty asked for communion which he took with Drake,
then they drank and dined together before Doughty was beheaded.
They lay for the next six weeks at Port St. Julian. Reorganizing for the next
stage of the journey and building up moral which had been lacking up to this
point.
They weighed anchor on August 17th 1578 and within three days arrived at the
dreaded opening of the Magellan Straits. It was here that Drake renamed the
Pelican and christened her the Golden Hind as a tribute to his friend
Christopher Hatton whose crest featured a hind.
The passage was torturous. The charts were unreliable and every day was
critical. They completed this hazardous journey in just sixteen days and
finally Drake realized his dream and sailed into the Pacific. The door into
the treasure house of Spain seemed ajar. Then a huge gale hit them and a
storm raged for a fortnight, in the midst of which occurred a lunar eclipse.
Finally Drake discovered that Marigold had foundered. The other ships waited
in a sheltered harbor but another storm parted them and the Elizabeth
re-entered the straits and returned to England believing the others lost.
Thus Drake and the Golden Hind were all that remained.
He headed north to Valpariso and captured a large ship and haul of gold. Then
Drake set sail for the Port of Lima seeking the King of Spain's greatest
ships. They entered the harbor silently and relieved a number of ships lying
at anchor of their spoils. There also they heard that the Lady of the
Conception had recently departed - a famous ship and a worthy prize. They set
out in pursuit and with surprise on their side captured it with barely a shot
fired.
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Length
Overall 22/5 inches.
1/50 SCALE
5 SHEET PLAN
TPSGY-007
PRICE: $ 32.50
Then
they proceeded northwards in search of the mythical north west passage. They
continued seeking a safe harbor where their ship could be repaired and
restocked. They finally arrived at Nova Albion, believed to be the site of
Drakes bay in California. They departed from here five weeks later in the
knowledge that they now had no choice but to cross the Pacific and
circumnavigate the globe if they were to arrive home safely.
Drake had the foresight to take a Chinese pilot with them to aid navigation
and they departed on July 23rd. They did not sight land again until the Pelew island s, here they were the victims of a hostile people who stole some of their
bounty. They eventually proceeded to Ternate where they met with the Sultan
who treated them well, offering the position to trade their goods in
competition with the Portuguese. This was a treaty of much importance for Great Britain later when the East India Company developed its trade in the Far East.
Heading home from there the ship was struck by winds and grounded on a reef.
Miraculously they were freed by a change in the wind and they sailed on.
Moving cautiously in the treacherous reefs and shoals. Finally on 8th
February they were on their way to Java. Here again they were hospitably
entertained by the local Rajahs, however news of the approach of other ships
caused Drake to set course for home. They rounded the Cape of Good Hope
without incident and finally on 26th December 1580 sailed into Plymouth
Sound.
Much can be said of what happened afterwards but in brief Drake sailed the
Golden Hind to London where he was Knighted and dined with the Queen aboard
the ship. He dressed his ship in great banners, some of which can still be
seen at Buckland Abbey in Devon.
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