SIR FRANCIS DRAKE WAS THE FIRST ENGLISH MAN TO SEE THE PACIFIC OCEAN

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE WAS THE FIRST ENGLISH MAN TO SEE THE PACIFIC OCEAN

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In 1573, during an expedition in present-day Panama, Drake climbed a huge tree in the mountains of the Isthmus of Panama and from the top he caught sight of the Pacific Ocean, thus becoming the first known Englishman in history to see the Pacific Ocean. As he looked out he “besought Almighty God of His goodness to give him life and leave to sail once in an English ship in that sea.”

Seven years later he completed a circumnavigation of the globe, the first Englishman to achieve this, and he did it in a single expedition. Drake’s the first known person in history to complete a circumnavigation of the planet as leading captain throughout the entire journey—a marvellous achievement.

Sir Francis Drake getting his first sight of the Pacific Ocean, Panama, 1573 (litho) by English School, (20th century).

Sir Francis Drake climbing a tree to get his first sight of the Pacific Ocean, Panama, 1573. Illustration from Little Treasure Island - Her Story and Her Glory, by Arthur Mee (Hodder & Stoughton Limited, London, c1920).)

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