Sir Francis Drake, The First Pirate of The Pacific

Sir Francis Drake was an English man of noble origins. He had a good education, wealth, and excellent life. However, he felt that something was missing in his life and decided to embark on a new journey to the New World. No one is sure what happened or why his mind changed during these months in the Atlantic Ocean, but something is clear: he became a well-known criminal and pirate over the years.

Sir Drake built a solid reputation across the Atlantic due to his multiple berths and looting. Hence, his crew and hem were nicknamed “Sea Dogs.” Sir Drake sailed all his pirate adventures in the Golden Hind (figure 1), a beautiful and impotent ship that was the crown of Sir Drake’s pirate kingdom.

Figure 1. Sir Francis Drake and the Golden Hind. ¹

Over the year 1578, Sir Drake crossed the Strait of Magellan and headed towards the Spanish Indies in the Pacific. He toured the entire Pacific coast and went from Chile to California. On this journey, he disembarked and plundered all the ports and towns that he found.

People often described Sir Drake as a ruthless person who didn’t allow any resistance. By the end of March 1579, he arrived at the Gulf of Fonseca, near the current Port of Cutuco. Many people were afraid, and the Friar Juan de Frías of San Miguel wrote a letter to the Mayor of La Unión:

Fellow Mayor Mr. Diego Galán,

I’m the Friar Juan de Frías of San Miguel. Recently,
we discovered that Francis Drake the fearsome pirate 
is in the Gulf of Fonseca.

We would like to request your kind support to
protect our city and its inhabitants.

As you might know, this is a new city, and we have
only stopped the Indian resistance. We have just
started their redemption and Christianization;
therefore, they can save their souls and join
our Lord Jesus Christ in the afterlife.

Any support from your side would be highly appreciated.

Best regards,
Friar Juan de Frías of San Miguel

After Mr. Diego Galán read this letter, he was shaking and scared for his life. He had heard many stories from Sir Drake and how he opposed any resistance. How he crashed entire cities with just a small crew! How he took control of thousands of places across the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans! Because of all these, he spoke with his men but decided to analyze Sir Drake’s true intentions. Perhaps, he was going to another destination. 

Sir Drake spent a few days there and left without major incidents as the mayor suspected. On this trip, he seized a ship in Costa Rica and returned to the Pacific-North to attack the ship of the merchant Francisco Zarate in the Port of Acajutla. Next, he moved farther until he reached Oaxaca. Here, he assaulted its main port Huatulco continuing to the Californias. Some people believe he reached Oregon, where he decided to start his journey around the world, till his return to Plymouth in 1580.

During this worldwide trip, Sir Francis Drake returned to El Salvador. For unknown reasons, he went to the Gulf of Fonseca and later, to the beach of Mizata, where he and his crew spent many nights in their boat.

In this place, the mayor, Mr. Juan de la Bonanza committed a considerable mistake; he overreacted and gave orders to attack the Golden Hind on a Friday at midnight. Sir Drake crashed them as he had done uncountable times. It was a massive mistake, and Sir Drake got furious and burned the entire town. Plus, he abducted a young woman who got pregnant and had a son.

The mayor survived and forced someone else to pretend to be Sir Drake. He tried to wash his hands, getting a false confession for Sir Drake’s crimes. Almost a century later, someone found this lie in Sir Drake’s grandson’s old notes.

Sir Drake's troubles continued in the Port of Acajutla, where the mayor had ordered Diego de Herrera to persecute him and capture the pirate at any cost. Diego followed Sir Drake until the Californias. However, he returned to El Salvador after many months and said that Sir Drake remained in Acapulco, where the Mexicans imprisoned him for all his crimes.

Over the years, numerous legends around Sir Drake came to life. One of the best known is that he died on Meanguera Island, and the locals buried him there, where he hid some of his most valuable treasures. However, this is a story for another time.

Inspired by El Salvador Región Mágica’s version.

Credits:
Location: Acajutla, El Salvador

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