Artist: Eric Parker (biography)
Medium: Watercolour on Board
Size: 16" x 21" (400mm x 530mm)
Date: 1968

This is the unique original Watercolour painting by Eric Parker.

Francis Drake made a point of making friends with the locals on his travels so they were willing to help careen his ships for repair. (Centre image).

Drake would use this time to explore the local area in smaller boats. During his 1572 voyage, despite having just two ships, he plundered Spanish settlements in Panama, top illustration.

In November 1577 he set sail again with five ships, amongst them the Pelican which was later renamed the Golden Hind. In August the following year the three surviving ships rounded the Straights of Magellan and sailed into the Pacific.

Shortly after one ship sank and the other returned to England leaving Drake's ship alone. He travelled north raiding Chile and Peru before heading across the ocean. He arrived back in Plymouth Sound on 26th September 1580.

The bottom illustration shows Queen Elizabeth I on her royal barge where Drake was rewarded with a knighthood.

From Look and Learn #320 published 2 March 1968.

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You might be interested in these related item(s):
       Feature on Eric Parker in illustrators issue 9

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