Bibliography

Barrow, John The Life, Voyages, and Exploits of Admiral Sir Francis Drake, Knt (RARE DA86.22.D7 B2)

Campbell, John The life of the celebrated Sir Francis Drake: the first English circumnavigator London: Printed for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, & Green, 1828 (RARE DA86.22.D7 B6)

Hreachmack, Patrick C. Francis Drake. Age of Exploration. 27 May, 2008.

Moseley, Brian. "Sir Francis Drake." Plymouth Data. 11 Mar. 2004. 28 May 2008 <http://www.plymouthdata.info/PP-Drake.htm>

Neville, John D. Sir Francis Drake. Heritage Education Program. 2005. 28 May 2008.

Nichols, Philip. "Sir Francis Drake Revived." Project Gutenberg. 2003. 28 May 2008 .

Peterson, Wally. "Sir Francis Drake and the Circumnavigation." Elizabethan England. 24 May 2008 .

Peoples, John M. World History. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc. 1993.

Pope, Margo C. Dig: Evidence of Drake’s raid. St.Augustine.com 02 December 2007. 26 May 2008. <>

Pretty, Francis. Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round The World, 1580. Modern history Sourcebook. 1998. 27 May 2008. <>

Schmid, Randolph E. "El Nino May Have Aided First Trip Around the World." MSNBC. 15 May 2008. 21 May 2008 .

Seeler, Oliver. The Voyage. 1996. 1-2. 15 May 2008 .

“Voyage of Francis Drake.” Modern History Online. Facts On File, Inc.
Williamson, James Alexander The Age of Drake London: A. & C. Black, 1965 (DA355.W48 1965)

Wilczyński, Krzysztof. Francis Drake: The Gentleman’s Pirate. Pirates! Fact and Legend. 28 May 2008. 28 May 2008.

June 8, 1576

My first voyage was under Captain Lovell. Though I was not the commander, I was a sailor on the voyage. Once I became the explorer that I am famous for being today, I had between sixty and one hundred men. My men were handymen, as they repaired my ships numerous times throughout the voyages. My entire crew was always loyal to me. There were some heated moments among our crew when voyages did not always go as planned, though. Life on my ships were, however very organized. I often assigned everyone jobs to everyone on board. Besides, what else was I going to do? I couldn’t watch baseball or anything. Some men provided food, while others kept watch for land, meanwhile others would either give medical care or took shifts off and rested.

May 12, 1577

My ships were built strong enough to survive the weather conditions of El Nino. It is said that Magellan may have benefited from El Nino, but I did suffer the loss of at least one ship on one of my voyages. It is also true that I had a compass at my use during my voyages, specifically, our voyage to the Western Indian world. Some historians would confirm that I definitely used compasses, while others would argue that I might not have. Well guess what, I did use them. I used a compass along with several patterns of stars and constellations and a map-like design to complete my many journeys.

November 1, 1577

Plymouth, England

Ever since the great Marco Polo embarked on his great journey into China in the 1200’s, every explorer dreams of the success he had and the amount of goods he brought home. He brought great success to his home country and eventually out his country into a position to become dominant and reach out for colonization. Every nation wishes for this. They want to go out and expand their nation and colonize in new places, with the finest spices for food, the smoothest silks for the most comfortable clothes, and the most beautiful jewels or the royal nobilities and some for ourselves. I wish to do this for England. I hope when I go out and beat all the other nations there, I wish to be the man to open the new world for England and expand their nation and turn it into a dominant force. I hope Queen Elizabeth will be awed by my success and defeat of the other nations wishing for the same success.

November 10, 1577

Everybody has been talking about how many nations surrounding Great England
have been rising. Nations like Portugal, France, Spain, and the Netherlands have been
setting out explorers to find new places to live and start new life. Life here is crowded
and England is getting too compacted and very hard to live in. So Queen Elizabeth I
wishes for me to set sail across the ocean and discover the New England. The boat I have
been provided with, is called the Pelican, and it is the mightiest and strongest and fastest
of all the boats I have seen. The bow is extra large for optimal speed and hydrodynamics. The boat also includes the finest sails to move like the wind. The other competing nations will stand no chance competing with us for new territory. Those greatly sought after spices, silver, and of course, land, will be ours!

December 12, 1577

Plymouth, England


I feel honored by her majesty Queen Elizabeth and her wish for me to circumnavigate the globe, and raid the Spanish colonies. I have already raided the Spanish settlements before in the Spanish Main. Now I seek to find glory in entering the waters called the Pacific, raiding the Spanish of all they own and returning the stolen wealth home to England. My Ship, the Pelican, and the others will set sail tomorrow. The Elizabeth, Marigold, Swan and Christopher are fine ships, and shall serve me well. I wish to now say my good byes to my family, for I will not see them for some time now.

March 1, 1578

I have encountered many unique places, people and things along my voyages. Some of them are very important discoveries in modern-day society. I mean, of course they are, because I discovered them. One of my most amazing and most popular discoveries is modern coffee, which I first found on the newly discovered island of Java. Java is a very fascinating place where I have found out a lot about new cultures. I also encountered many other sma ll cultures as I journeyed around the world. I met people in the America’s as well as in India and Africa. They introduced me to many foods and ceremonies that I brought to the new world. I even saw massive amounts of snow when I landed in Alaska along my voyage as well as plants from South America. But I am Sir Francis Drake, so that should come at no surprise.

September 18, 1578

Straits of Magellan
As I sit here in my personal cabin, I can barely manage to write because the waters are so rough and the waves are reckless. The fore is completely unstable due to the hard waves and inconsistent water depths. And the crew is absolutely exhausted do to the lack of food, the extreme weather, and the spread of scurvey. Although it has not spread as the rumors said, a few of my members had to be thrown overboard. I do not know if I will ever get out of here. The weather conditions are so strange here and the waves are ferocious. I do hope though once I eventually pass through here, I will be able to experience a better journey northwards, well, according to my compass at least.

September 25, 1578

The Straits of Magellan


My fleet of Ships has suffered from this bloody place. The Marigold sunk into the depths, with the sea claiming all the crew. The Elizabeth in behind us in the straits and our crew has not seen here for days. I fear the worst has happened for her. Water washes onto the ships deck every few minutes, as we fight our way against the wind. Only luck has prevented a leak from occurring. We have suffered now casualties in these straits. The only concern I have is the amount of food and water that is still available, for is those are gone, the crew is sure to mutiny again.

Decmeber 21, 1579

Off coast of Spanish settlement Lima


The Spanish settlement called Lima has turned out to become more valuable than I thought it would be. My crew, not only had raided Lima of its wealth, but also discovered the identity of a Spanish Ship known as Cacafuego. This ship was rumored to be hauling gold and silver to Panama. Those rumors were correct! After a successful day of raiding the Cacafuego, my men now haul aboard the Golden Hind 80 lb of gold, a golden crucifix, jewels, 13 chests full of royals of plate and 26 tons of silver! What wealth have I earned England!? I now, being the gentlemen I am, will let my crew rest, tired from a day of raiding

September 5, 1580

We are less than a month away from home, and the crew has never been happier than this. I have been at sea for over two years, and I seek the warm welcome that England has to offer us. Funny. Only now do I think about the fame and glory that will come with this amazing task that I have completed for her majesty Queen Elizabeth I. Will children on day study and recall my amazing adventures? Will her majesty the Queen knight me “Sir” Francis Drake? I expect as much. After all, twenty six tons of silver will be a large reason as to why I deserve many rewards.

September 9, 1580

Azores Islands

As I approach the end of my journey home, I do not know what to expect when I reach Plymouth again. I most certainly hope that Queen Elizabeth I will first give me the title of “Sir.” Boy wouldn’t that be lovely? And I hope the children will study my journey, and learn of the troubles I went through, and I survived great and dangerous battles, and fought through disease, starvation, and thirst. I hope one day they will appreciate my work and learn what it means to stand up for your country, and enjoy the wonders (and dangers) of navigation. But I think the most rewarding thing that will come out of my navigation, will be for the entire world. They can see how to set out on a mission, complete it, and head home ready to share what you have learned. This should be an ongoing process and set a great example for future navigators.