Death of Sir Francis Drake

28th January 1596

Francis Drake was a sea captain and explorer of the Elizabethan era from Tavistock, Devon. He was knighted by Elizabeth I. The Spanish branded him a pirate, known to them as 'El Draque'. He was buried at sea and divers continue to search for the coffin. He was regarded by people in the nineteenth century as one of the heroes of the empire. Died 28 January 1596 in Panama.