Sir Francis Drake: Admiral, pirate, and explorer
Overview of Sir Francis Drake's life.
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Transcript
Adventurer, admiral, pirate, explorer and the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe - Sir Francis Drake was the most ingenious captain of the 16th century. On the queen's commission, he attacked Spanish galleons 100 years before the pirate flag flew over the Caribbean. As a young seaman Drake started his seafaring career roaming the seas as a slave trader, until he was attacked by a Spanish squadron in 1568. Storms drove Drake's ships onto the Mexican coast directly into Spanish waters. The Spaniards gave the order to open fire and the six English ships were bombarded from all sides. Most of them sank, but Drake managed to escape. He made it back to England unscathed.
But his reputation is in ruins. In a report to the queen, Captain Drake is accused of having abandoned his men. The seaman, on the other hand, sees himself as a victim, pointing out that the Spaniards had broken the ceasefire agreement. As such, the captain categorically refuses to let the report stand. He swears a vendetta against his enemies.
Drake bought his first ship, hoisting his sails and setting course for the Caribbean. His only aim is to exact revenge on the Spanish. He becomes the most feared pirate on the seas, fighting with any and every means available. He must deal with a range of challenges. He knows that life on the seas depends on how successful a captain is at nipping in the bud his crew's tendency to engage in mutinous revolt.
Illnesses like scurvy and fever constantly await on board. But Drake manages to keep his men in good spirits by promising them loot, such as gold and silver, on the other side of the globe. He continually manages to keep his volatile crew in check.
Drake uses only a few simple instruments to help him navigate the open seas. At a time when longitude was still unknown, the outcome of sea journeys was dependent on the individual abilities of the captain. Drake knew the sea route to America, and his contemporaries testify to the fact that he had an exceptional memory.
He simply stole from his enemies' ships whatever it was that he lacked, such as secret records, log books and maps. He took Spanish sailors prisoner and forced them to reveal secret navigational routes through Spanish waters. Even at a time when the Spanish and Portuguese navies still dominated the seven seas, it was Francis Drake who paved the way for English ambitions to rule the world's oceans.
But his reputation is in ruins. In a report to the queen, Captain Drake is accused of having abandoned his men. The seaman, on the other hand, sees himself as a victim, pointing out that the Spaniards had broken the ceasefire agreement. As such, the captain categorically refuses to let the report stand. He swears a vendetta against his enemies.
Drake bought his first ship, hoisting his sails and setting course for the Caribbean. His only aim is to exact revenge on the Spanish. He becomes the most feared pirate on the seas, fighting with any and every means available. He must deal with a range of challenges. He knows that life on the seas depends on how successful a captain is at nipping in the bud his crew's tendency to engage in mutinous revolt.
Illnesses like scurvy and fever constantly await on board. But Drake manages to keep his men in good spirits by promising them loot, such as gold and silver, on the other side of the globe. He continually manages to keep his volatile crew in check.
Drake uses only a few simple instruments to help him navigate the open seas. At a time when longitude was still unknown, the outcome of sea journeys was dependent on the individual abilities of the captain. Drake knew the sea route to America, and his contemporaries testify to the fact that he had an exceptional memory.
He simply stole from his enemies' ships whatever it was that he lacked, such as secret records, log books and maps. He took Spanish sailors prisoner and forced them to reveal secret navigational routes through Spanish waters. Even at a time when the Spanish and Portuguese navies still dominated the seven seas, it was Francis Drake who paved the way for English ambitions to rule the world's oceans.