It was not until the late 16th century that the English began to venture into the Pacific Basin. The first expedition was led by Sir Francis Drake (1540 –1596), who was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and
politician. Drake was awarded a knighthood in 1581 by Queen Elizabeth after he had completed the first English circumnavigation of the world between 1577 and 1580. He was later appointed Vice Admiral and was the second-in-command of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. He died of dysentery in January 1596, after unsuccessfully attacking the Spanish fortress at San Juan, Puerto Rico. He survived the attack, but died while his
ship was anchored off the coast of Portobelo, Panama. Before dying, he asked to be dressed in his full armor and buried at sea in a lead coffin. Divers continue to search for his coffin in the waters near Portobelo.
politician. Drake was awarded a knighthood in 1581 by Queen Elizabeth after he had completed the first English circumnavigation of the world between 1577 and 1580. He was later appointed Vice Admiral and was the second-in-command of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. He died of dysentery in January 1596, after unsuccessfully attacking the Spanish fortress at San Juan, Puerto Rico. He survived the attack, but died while his
ship was anchored off the coast of Portobelo, Panama. Before dying, he asked to be dressed in his full armor and buried at sea in a lead coffin. Divers continue to search for his coffin in the waters near Portobelo.