Pirates and Privateers by Charlotte Montague

Author:Charlotte Montague
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Omnipress
Published: 2011-06-16T16:00:00+00:00

Triumph and disaster

Hawkins’ innovations included reforming pay and conditions for sailors, which produced a more obedient and skilful force. He also pioneered new shipbuilding methods, including caulking the underside of ships so that they were more resistant to rot and worms, and making changes to rigging so that the ships sailed faster. These improvements were to prove crucial in 1588, when the Royal Navy was pitted against the Spanish Armada. Hawkins took part in the battle as Rear Admiral, fighting alongside Francis Drake and Martin Frobisher. As is well known, the Royal Navy were victorious, and Hawkins was knighted, as were Sir Francis and Sir Martin.

In 1589, Hawkins sailed with Drake on a large armed mission to capture the Spanish treasure fleet, but this venture was unsuccessful. He then involved himself in charity work, setting up a hospital. His final voyage, in 1595, was a treasure-hunting expedition to the Caribbean, again with Sir Francis Drake, but this ended in disaster when both of them became ill with dysentery, and died off the coast of Puerto Rico.

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