Sir Francis Drake Revived: The History of Voyages to the West Indies

Book excerpt: Sir Francis Drake Revived is an account of Drake's travels written and compiled by Philip Nichols, preacher who accompanied Drake on his journeys. The book presents a summary and true relation of several voyages made by Sir Francis Drake to the West Indies. It contains accounts faithfully taken out of the report of Master Christopher Ceely, Ellis Hixom, and others who were in the same voyages with him. Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) was an English explorer, sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer, and politician. Drake is best known for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition, from 1577 to 1580. This included his incursion into the Pacific Ocean, until then an area of exclusive Spanish interest, and his claim to New Albion for England, an area in what is now the American state of California.