Sir Francis Drake - Privateer

Between 1577 and 1580, the Golden Hinde circumnavigated the globe under the command of Sir Francis Drake – the legendary privateer supported by Queen Elizabeth in his mission to explore the world’s oceans, causing as much damage to the Spaniards as possible in the process.

Perhaps history’s boldest pseudo-pirate, Drake and his galleon, originally known as the Pelican until Drake renamed it mid voyage, became the scourge of Spanish galleons. By the time the ship returned to England, Drake’s acts of seaborne armed robbery had netted each of his investors a 4,700% return.

Although the original ship disintegrated more than four centuries ago, two replicas exist. This one, like the original, has also circumnavigated the globe. Built in Devon and launched in 1973, it is currently docked on the Thames.

image © Ben ChernivskyNovember 25 2008