Argumentative Essay On Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus. Amerigo Vespucci. Vasco de Gama. We remember these famous

names because they were explorers, pioneering souls who crossed the oceans to seek out

new people and places. In our minds, we can almost see these men in that age of discovery,

commanding their massive, sturdy ships with huge sails full of wind and mighty ocean waves crashing

against the sides. There is, however, another name that we remember from this time, and he was no

explorer. Why do we remember the name of Sir Francis Drake? He was no discoverer, no finder of

strange lands. But he was one of the greatest seafarers who ever lived. So great that his name is

firmly imprinted in history and our minds. Although Sir Francis

Drake's life was relatively short, he

accomplished some of the most impressive naval endeavors of the 16th century.

A Taste for the Sea

The sea captivated Francis Drake very early in his life, almost foreshadowing the renowned

sailor he would someday become. As soon as the English boy grew old enough, he was apprenticed

to a coastal merchant where he got a taste of a life bound to the water. Aboard his master’s ship,

Drake traversed the River Thames and traded with ports on the English Channel, showing skill with

navigation. (Bio.com, 2014) Drake's next encounter with sailing the seas occurred when some of his

privateer relatives decided to recruit him. This, of course, thrust him headlong into the distinct, salty

world of the ocean and its conquering. The life of a privateer absorbed Drake, and he became

exceptionally adept at both sailing and raiding, abilities which would prove invaluable later in his

life. Some years later in his life, after the stint with his privateer relatives, Drake gained command of

his first vessel, ready to begin a career out on the ocean at only 22. Having kept in touch with his

cousin, John Hawkins, Drake travelled with him to Africa to try his hand at the slave trade.

Unfortunately, the twosome foolishly took their human cargo to the Caribbean and tried to sell to

Spanish settlers there. This was against Spain’s law. Drake and Hawkins were found out by Spanish

authorities and barely managed to escape with their lives. (Bio.com, 2014) Their abilities would soon

provide ample revenge against the Spaniards. These adventures all took place before Drake reached

thirty and compose an impressive beginning to a naval career.

Life of a Privateer

At thirty-two years old, Francis Drake became a privateer, which essentially meant England

legally licensed him to pirate enemy merchant ships and cities, and he soon proved himself one of

the greatest ones in history. He began this lofty endeavor by attacking a Spanish town in Panama.

Although he captured the town according to plan, Drake was injured in the process and had to pull out

with his men. Not discouraged, they stayed in the area while Drake’s wounds healed and preyed upon

various settlements, amassing an exceptional amount of loot, returning to England laden with gold and

silver. (Simkin, 1997) Word soon got out about the riches Drake had brought back and his skill as a

seaman. Queen Elizabeth herself expressed interest in his success and soon funded an expedition to

the Pacific coast of South America. Seizing the opportunity, Drake set sail, sharing command with

investors Thomas Doughty and John Wynter. Trouble, however, soon overtook them. As the ships

reached the southern tip of Argentina, Drake discovered that Doughty was planning a mutiny and

consequently had him tried and put to death. Soon after that, a nasty storm arose that pounded the

vessels, one ship disappearing completely, and Wynter reversing his course and returning to England.

(Simkin, 1997) Drake’s craft alone entered the Pacific, and it seemed incapable of defeating the many

Spanish settlements up and down the coast.

Francis Drake, however, refused to back down.

Confident of what he could accomplish as a privateer, he chose to bravely demonstrate it and

continued the mission. As he sailed up the coast, Drake attacked Spanish ships and settlements,

raiding all along South America and even into Mexico, accumulating spoils every step of the way.

Finally, he finished trouncing the Spaniards and stopped briefly to repair his ship before setting sail

for home. The mighty privateer surprisingly elected to do this by crossing the entire Pacific Ocean,

passing through the Indian Ocean, and sailing around the Cape of Good Hope in one final,

spectacular feat. As Francis Drake docked back in England with his loads of treasure, he became the

first Englishman to circumnavigate the world. (Kingfisher, 2004) The Crown recognized him for his

incredible accomplishments by knighting him Sir Francis Drake, a name soon known as belonging to

one of the greatest seafarers of the 16th century.

Living Up to His Name

Sir Francis Drake had become one of the most renowned seamen alive by the time he was

40,

and he spent the rest of his days living up to that reputation. Due to hostility with England, and

perhaps because of Sir Francis Drake's harassment, Spain moved to invade with its massive armada

of 131 ships and 17,000 men.

Once again, Drake’s naval skills would be called upon. He shared

command of the English fleet with his cousin John Hawkins, Lord Admiral Howard, and Martin

Frobisher. Although their fleet was infinitely outnumbered, they engaged the Spanish Armada

nonetheless. On their own, the ships could scarcely put a dent in the vast enemy fleet. However, the

Spaniards’ tight defensive formation prevented them from moving faster than the speed of their

slowest ship. Consequently, they could not reach their reinforcements before Drake and his partners

came up with a clever plan. In the middle of the night, Drake helped organize a fireship attack which

simply meant lighting ships on fire and sending them towards the Armada. The Spanish scattered at

the tactic and soon became easy targets for the English ships which had more firepower. Battered and

decimated, the Armada was forced to retreat. (Simkin, 1997) The mice had outsmarted the lion.

Loved by his people and feared by the Spaniards, Drake finally neared the end of his life. It is fitting

that no mere man killed the great Sir Francis Drake. He died of dysentery in Panama in 1596

while

attempting to capture Spain’s treasure supply, on a journey for what he loved; sailing the seas and

thrashing the Spaniards.

Why We Remember

History recognizes men and women who do extraordinary things in the time they are given. In

his lifetime, Sir Francis Drake performed some of the most incredible oceanic feats of his day. From

the very beginning, the man showed an obvious attraction to the sea and spent the majority of his life

chasing after it. Furthermore, he sailed a single ship around the entire world, the first Englishman to

ever complete the trip let alone bring home a fortune at the same time. Finally, when Drake’s naval

skills were tested by the Spanish Armada, they held out against a seemingly insuperable enemy. We

remember Sir Francis Drake for what he is; one of the greatest seafarers of all time. What will you be

remembered for?