ABSTRACT

The West Indian expedition of I S9S-6 was a miserable failure, in which Drake, Hawkins and many others died. In crude outline the facts of the story have long been known, but it is hardly surprising that they have attracted far less attention than happier episodes in Drake's career. The best studies of the voyage, those by Corbett1 and Oppenheim, z are highly condensed interpretations, based on a rather limited range of sources, particularly on the Spanish side, and few students of maritime history can have had the opportunity to study enough of the relevant material to form considered judgements of the issues involved. It is the belief that such an exercise may be rewarding, in terms of a better understanding of the Elizabethan sea war, that has inspired the present work. Its object is not to offer another interpretation, but to provide those interested with representative documents and associated information from which they may draw their own conclusions. The editor's opinions on particular matters are expressed throughout, but no summary exposition of the events and circumstances has been attempted. Those who prefer to begin with a general narrative can turn to Maynarde (document 18 herein) or to the journal published by Hakluyt.3