Drake's Great Armada

"Drake's Great Armada," as recounted in this historical narrative, tells the story of Sir Francis Drake's formidable expedition to plunder Spanish America in 1585. The narrative is composed primarily by Walter Biggs, who served as a musketeer under the command of Carlile, one of Drake's associates. It provides an engaging and detailed account of the events that transpired during this remarkable voyage. In 1585, Drake led an armada of twenty-five vessels with over 2,300 men aboard, setting sail from Plymouth to seize Spanish America. The expedition aimed to plunder the Spanish territories and secure valuable treasure. Drake's journey took him to Santiago, where he hoisted the English flag and set the town ablaze. Subsequently, he embarked on a daring quest, landing in Espanola and extracting a substantial ransom from the colonists of the city. Drake's plan was to repeat these actions in Carthagena and Nombre de Dios, and then march across the isthmus to seize the waiting treasure in Panama. However, a deadly fever and adverse conditions forced him to abandon the endeavor. Drake held St. Domingo and Carthagena for several weeks, but the relentless fever and the impossibility of marching to Panama compelled him to return to England via Florida. He brought back the colonists who had been left in 'Virginia' by Sir Richard Greenville, effectively ending the first English settlement in that region. Drake's audacious and influential expeditions continued in the following years, leaving a significant mark on the Spanish dominions in America and inspiring courage among those resisting Spanish influence in Europe.