Looking at the modern map of the world, every adequate person is able to appreciate and feel the smallness of our planet on the scale of infinite space. On a historical scale, quite recently, some 500 years ago, the world around people seemed mysterious, full of dangers and endless. Brave sailors on fragile ships gave themselves up to the elements, trying to catch the favorable wind in their sails. Among such discoverers, the name of Francis Drake takes pride of place. Although, according to many authoritative historians, this character deserves the death penalty for his actions at sea and on land.
early years
I would like to note that many specialists are fond of the biography of persons who have left their mark on the history of human civilization. By examining the sequence of events, they leave beyond the scope of this process the reasons that prompted courageous and desperate people to go on risky journeys. Today, it has been established with high accuracy that by the middle of the 15th century, the climate in Europe has noticeably changed for the worse. The winters have become longer and colder. During the short and rainy summer, crops and grapes did not have time to ripen. The threat of general hunger hung over the continent.
In such conditions, it became necessary to search for new lands where it would be possible to purchase or obtain food and other materials necessary for a normal life. In 1492, the Spanish navigator Christopher Columbus discovered a previously unknown continent, which was later named America. From that moment, Europeans, like hungry dogs, began to scour the seas and oceans in search of easy money. The era of geographical discoveries lasted more than two hundred years. This is an interesting and in many ways tragic period for the planet. Ruthless and greedy Portuguese, Spaniards and British fought among themselves for tasty territories on different continents.
In this squabble, the famous and terrible Sir Francis Drake rendered all possible assistance to the English Crown. His life was made up of incredible coincidences, chances and luck. The archives of Great Britain carefully store documents containing information about the life and work of the "iron pirate". In the biography of Drake, it is noted that he was the eldest child in a large family of a sailor. The boy was born around 1540. When he was ten years old, he went to sea for the first time as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. Francis was born a physically strong and intelligent child. He mastered sailor's craft and navigation skills from the first try. Didn't hesitate to ask the old and experienced captain questions.
By the age of sixteen, Drake could independently maintain a watch on the captain's bridge. The education obtained in this way soon came in handy. The owner of the barge "Judith" with a displacement of 50 tons, which was a distant relative of the Drake family, bequeathed his "vessel" to the eldest child. Francis, without hesitation, received the bequeathed ship under control, set sail and went out to sea without waiting for the day. According to indirect data that have been preserved in the archives, the young captain took part in expeditions to deliver slaves to the American continent. This job is not particularly dangerous, but it is low paying. Drake wanted more.
In royal service
The career of a successful corsair, so to speak, started in 1567. Drake accepted an invitation from his relative John Hawkins. Uncle was already a grated roll and knew the intricacies of sea hunting. An expedition on six ships sailed to the shores of modern Mexico to loot coastal settlements. At first everything went according to plan, but all the cards were confused by the incoming storm. To fix the rigging, the British entered a remote harbor, where they were blocked by a Spanish squadron. I had to go for a breakthrough and take the fight. Of the six ships, only one escaped into the ocean under the command of Drake.
In May 1672, scouts reported to Francis Drake that the Spaniards had formed a "silver caravan" and would soon be sending it to Europe. The already experienced corsair instantly calculated all possible options and layouts. Francis has always allowed an element of creativity in pragmatic calculations. Only two ships had time to equip the campaign. On the way to America, they managed to rob two Spanish galleons. Having reached the coast, after several sorties and careful reconnaissance, Drake decided to attack the caravan. This time, luck smiled at him. There was so much precious metal that part of the loot had to be hidden in the jungle.
Returning to his homeland, Drake was able not only to pay off loans, to pay tribute to the royal court. He acquired an estate and three fast caravels. Officials of the royal court invited the lucky captain to enter the service of the English Crown. The prudent and far-sighted Francis immediately gave his consent. And he even made a voluntary contribution in silver to the state storage. At the same time, the captain of the Royal Navy arranged his personal life. He married Mary Newman. The husband and wife rarely saw each other and spent very little time together. But Mary was always loyal to her Francis.
Drake's Around the World
In 1577, the captain of the Royal Navy, together with the Admiralty, developed a plan for an expedition to the Pacific coast of America. In fact, it was a mission for the extraction of Spanish gold. The flotilla consisted of four ships. The most difficult part of the route was to circle the southern tip of the mainland. Severe storms are always raging in this part of the world's oceans. Of the four ships, only one made it to the Pacific Ocean. And that was enough to rob coastal settlements.
Loaded with the looted gold, Drake headed west and crossed the Great Ocean. In vain the Spanish squadron was waiting for him in the Strait of Magellan. Having rounded the southern tip of Africa, Drake's expedition returned to their native shores. On board the returning ship were astronomical treasures. The queen right there, in the port, awarded the captain the knighthood. After resting, the admiral of the Royal Navy continued his successful service on the seas and oceans. Francis Drake died of dysentery in 1596.
