On 13 December 1577, the intrepid English sea captain Francis Drake set sail from Plymouth aboard his ship, the Pelican, embarking on what would become a legendary three-year circumnavigation of the globe.
This ambitious expedition, carried out under the auspices of Queen Elizabeth I, was ostensibly for exploration but also aimed to challenge Spanish dominance in the New World.
Along the journey, the ship was rechristened the Golden Hind, a symbolic nod to the venture's enduring spirit.
Drake's voyage not only yielded immense treasures but also solidified England’s maritime prestige, marking a pivotal moment in the Age of Exploration.
