Circumnavigation

Francis Drake · 1577 CE – 1580 CE · Earth

Circumnavigation — Francis Drake · 1577 CE – 1580 CE · Earth — Recorded expedition route · schematic map

Raid Spanish possessions and find new routes.

Historical context

Drake's voyage mixed exploration, trade and raids on Spain, then Europe's greatest power, though the two kingdoms would not be formally at war until 1585. Its success made him a national hero in England and a pirate in Madrid.

The voyage, step by step

  1. Departure from Plymouth

    December 1577

    Drake leaves England in December 1577 with five ships on a voyage of trade and plunder.

  2. Through the Strait of Magellan

    1578 CE

    Storms scatter the fleet as it enters the Pacific; the Marigold is lost with all hands, and the Elizabeth turns back for England.

  3. Raids on the Pacific coast

    1579 CE

    Drake plunders Spanish ports and shipping along Chile and Peru, then heads north.

  4. Nova Albion

    1579 CE

    He claims a stretch of the Californian coast for England and names it Nova Albion.

  5. Across the Pacific

    1579 CE

    Crossing the Pacific, Drake reaches the Spice Islands and loads cloves before continuing west.

  6. Home after the world

    September 1580

    The Golden Hind returns to Plymouth in September 1580, the first English circumnavigation.

Outcome

Second expedition to circle the globe.

Francis Drake

English sea captain who circumnavigated the globe and raided Spanish ports and shipping.

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Sources

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