Sir Francis Drake: And the Trip Around the World

Sir Francis Drake: And the Trip Around the World — page 1
Francis Drake the Privateer Francis Drake was born sometime around 1540 in England He grew up just north of Plymouth an important trading port At an early age Francis was apprenticed to the captain of a small merchant ship During this time he became a skilled sailor Now I’m ready for a grand adventure After his apprenticeship Drake joined John Hawkins a relative and known pirate They set sail for the New World in 1567 on a slave trading mission What will the Spanish think of our venture I doubt they’ll like it But if there’s trouble we will just take their riches At the time Spain controlled the Americas They did not welcome the English in the New World Hawkins and Drake traded in several ports around the Caribbean But soon a storm damaged their ships 4