1. 1567-1568: First Circumnavigation of South America:
- Drake set sail from Plymouth, England, on December 13, 1577, with five ships, including the "Golden Hind."
- He successfully navigated the Strait of Magellan, becoming the second European (after Ferdinand Magellan) to do so.
- Drake continued northward along the Pacific coast of South America, raiding Spanish ports and capturing rich hauls of silver and treasure.
2. 1577-1580: Circumnavigation of the Globe:
- Drake resumed his journey westward across the Pacific, exploring the waters around North America and becoming the first Englishman to reach what is now California.
- He ventured through the Moluccas and visited the Spice Islands.
- Drake then crossed the Indian Ocean and rounded the Cape of Good Hope in Africa before returning to England on September 26, 1580.
3. 1585-1586: The "Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard" Raid:
- With the support of Queen Elizabeth I, Drake led a daring expedition to raid Spanish possessions in the Americas and disrupt Spanish trade routes.
- He attacked several ports and settlements in the Caribbean and along the coast of Central and South America, including the raid on San Juan de Puerto Rico and a successful assault on Cartagena in present-day Colombia.
- Drake returned to England in 1586, bringing back significant plunder and boosting the English morale against the Spanish.
4. 1587-1588: The Spanish Armada campaign:
- In response to the increasing tension with Spain, Queen Elizabeth I appointed Drake as the second-in-command of the English fleet during the Spanish Armada campaign in 1588.
- Drake played a crucial role in devising strategies and commanding ships against the invading Spanish Armada.
- The English forces, under the leadership of Lord Charles Howard, succeeded in defeating the formidable Spanish fleet, securing England's naval supremacy.
It is important to note that these are some of the major voyages associated with Francis Drake, and he undertook other expeditions throughout his life, establishing his reputation as a renowned explorer, navigator, and privateer during the Elizabethan era.