Monday, Sept. 26, 2011
THEN Sept. 26, 1580, English seamen Sir Francis Drake lands in Plymouth, England, after circumnavigating the globe. Drake’s return to Plymouth in a Tudor warship called the Golden Hind, marks the first time a British navigator successfully sails around the world. Drake’s voyage, which begins with five ships on Dec. 13, 1577, is chartered by Queen Elizabeth I. Her majesty sends Drake to raid Spanish ships and Spanish holdings along the Pacific coast of the Americas. Drake is successful in his mission and the Spanish still consider Drake a pirate to this day. Perils at sea leave only the Golden Hind to complete the voyage. Upon his return, the queen knights Drake with great ceremony onboard the ship. NOW While Drake’s status as a hero is debatable, he is considered one of Tudor England’s best known figures. Today, a fully operational replica of Drake’s Golden Hind is berthed at St. Mary Overie Dock, in Southwark, London. The replica has also circumnavigated the earth and sailed over 140,000 miles—significantly farther than the original ship. Thousands of visitors come annually to see the replica, which was constructed in 1973.
