In 1570 and 1571, Drake made two trading voyages to the West Indies which proved to be very profitable. The following year he was in command of two vessels which were involved in raids against Spanish ports in the Caribbean. Having captured many Spanish treasures he returned to England to a hero’s welcome gaining a reputation as a brilliant sailor/tradesman.
In December 1577, Drake was secretly commissioned by Elizabeth I to set off on an expedition against the Spanish colonies on the American pacific coast. Having started the journey with 5 ships, on reaching the Pacific Ocean in October 1578, only one remained, Drake’s flagship, the pelican, later named the Golden Hind. To reach the Pacific, Drake became the first Englishman to navigate the Straits of Magallam.
They reached the southern tip of America and began their journey north, towards Chile. They sailed as far as Canada searching for a route across to the Atlantic, sailing up the west coast of America, further than any other European, having destroyed many Spanish ships along the way. Then they sailed westwards towards the Cove of Good Hope, in South Africa. They crossed the equator in July, and sailed into Plymouth Harbour in September 1580. The ship carried a rich cargo of spices and Spanish treasure with the added distinction of being the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world. Drake was greeted by his Wife and the Mayor of Plymouth. Seven months later the Queen came on board the Golden Hind and knighted him much to the annoyance of the king of Spain.
Sadly Mary, his wife, died an unexpected death, and Drake re-married Elizabeth Sydenham, the wealthiest woman in Britain. In 1585 Drake sailed to the West Indies and the coast of Florida where he plundered Spanish cities, returning via Roanoke Island off the coast of the Carolina’s to pick up the unsuccessful first English colonists of the New World. In 1587 war with Spain was imminent and Drake entered drake entered the port of Cadiz and destroyed 30 of the ships the Spanish were assembling against the British. In 1588 Drake was made a Vice Admiral and sent on a mission to defeat the Spanish Armada and thanks to his tactics, he successfully beat the Spanish.
Drakes last expedition was with his cousin, John Hawkins on a voyage to the West Indies, however this time, the Spanish were prepared for him and the venture was a disaster. Drake died on the 28th January 1596 of dysentery off the coast of Puerto Rico his cousin dying at the same time. Their bodies were buried at sea.