Ship's Log

~ Captain Francis Drake ~

Twenty~fourth Day of May in the Year of Our Queen 1572 ~
Position ~ 52⁰N 4⁰W
Commander of the Fleet - I, Captain Francis Drake
Captain of the Swan ~ I, Captain Francis Drake
Captain of the Pasha ~ John Drake, my Own Brother
Destination ~ From Plymouth of England to the Nombre de Dios of the New World
Our purpose ~ On behalf of our Royal Queen Elizabeth, to intercept the Spanish fleet Tierra Firme from unrighteously claiming the gold and silver mined from the moutains of the Americas, which we must claim in order that we may prohibit the Spaniards from using the bounty against our Queen.
Ship's Business ~
We are two ships, the Swan and the Pasha. Our ships hold seventy three men in route to Nombre De Dios of the New World. We, my brothers John Drake and Charles Drake, and all our men, are well supplied with food and water to succeed in victory. The victory will avenge the ongoing battle that continues after the Spaniard Alvare de Bazam murdered many of my own men on earlier voyages to the New World. I have prepared not one, but three hidden weapons that will assure victory in the name of the Queen.
~ Captain Francis Drake





Twenty~fourth Day of June in the Year of Our Queen 1572 ~
30⁰N 30⁰W ~
We are midway through our voyage to the New World in the name of our Queen. The passage remains clear and our ships hold strong. The waters of the Atlantic are calm and we continue on course with no exceptions or delays. As always, I close every twilight to behold the secret that lies in the bowels of my Swan. It is the secret to my Revenge.
~Captain Francis Drake


Tenth Day of July in the Year of Our Queen 1572 ~
20⁰N 70⁰W ~
I sighted land at the last light of the day. We will advance to the isle of Dominica at dark. If all is well, we will set anchor to take on more supplies.
~Captain Francis Drake

Eleventh Day of July in the Year of Our Queen 1572 ~ 190N 700W ~ Dominica Our ships have set anchor at first light of day. We brought in supplies for both ships. At day's end, my Brother John and I agreed to leave port and sail for the coast of Darien. I know of a desolate island before the Isthmus is reached. No one knows but myself of my secret weapons. I loath to disclose the secret my own vessel holds till we are away from this port.                 ~Captain Francis Drake

Map of Panama, earlier known as Darien

Fifteenth Day of July in the Year of Our Queen 1572 ~
23⁰N 82⁰W ~ Isle of Pines ~
At midday, I eyed the small island and found no signs of life at The Isle of Pines for it is uninhabited. We anchored the Swan and the Pasha on the North coast. Amidst all the shouts of the men to go ashore, I instructed all hands to gather at the hold of the Swan. I uncovered my hidden cargo, the secret weapon. I laid out my plan to my brother and all those aboard. These were my words,"The Swan and Pasha, perfect to handle the seas of the Atlantic crossing, are too large and cumbersome to sail close to the coastline of Panama to intercept the Spanish Tierra Firme. We have three smaller ships, these pinnaces, lying and waiting in pieces for us to rebuild them into three smaller vessels that will hold the gold and silver. This is the treasure the Spaniards have taken from the mines of the mountains in Peru to the coast of Darien, then onto to Spain each year. Before the cargo is on the Spanish fleet, our vessels will be hidden in the caves near the coast and the Francisco River. We shall quickly intercept the cargo and load it on our little pinnaces. Afterwards, we bring the three pinnaces back to Isle of Pines and reload our precious cargo on to the Swan and Pasha. Secure in our large vessels, we sail back to our Homeland of England, our beloved families, and our Queen.The fruits of our labour will be justly rewarded by our Queen." The men rejoiced with shouts and work began in the assembly of our three small vessels, our secret weapons, against the Spanish.
~Captain Francis Drake


Twentieth Day of July in the Year of Our Queen 1572 ~
23⁰N 82⁰W ~ Isle of Pines
The pinnaces are sea ready and we set sail for Nombre de Dios. My brothers, Charles and John, each head a vessel, and I the third vessel. We left behind a few good men to keep our main fleet at the Isle of Pines to await our return.
~Captain Francis Drake

Nombre de Dios

Twenty~fourth Day of July in the Year of Our Queen 1572~ 80N 790W ~ near Nombre de Dios ~ We are hidden near a cave where the sea and one of Darien's many rivers, the Francisco River, gather. We prepare to battle and scout the jungle for the cargo of the Silver Train carried by African slaves of the Spanish. They are near the port of Nombre de Dios and the time is near for revenge.                 ~Captain Francis Drake

Thirtieth Day of July in the Year of Our Queen 1572~
~ 8⁰N 79⁰W ~ Nombre de Dios
~ Our battle is complete and our wounds are few. In the name of our Queen, our pinnaces are filled with gold. Alas, they hold no more. The Brothers Drake have lowered, in the Queen's name, great stores of silver and jewels into the chests deep within this cave, We must now depart for the Isle of Pines.
~Captain Francis Drake