Golden Hind

exploration · famous ships · history

Drake's daring voyage. Francis Drake captained the Golden Hind on an incredible three-year journey all the way around the world between 1577 and 1580, making him only the second explorer ever to circle the globe.

Named after a deer. The ship was originally called the Pelican, but Drake renamed it the Golden Hind in 1578 to honor his patron Sir Christopher Hatton, whose family crest featured a golden hind, which is a female deer.

Royal patronage matters. Sir Christopher Hatton was one of the most important sponsors of Drake's dangerous voyage, helping to fund this ambitious expedition across unknown oceans.

Still standing today. You can visit a full-sized, seaworthy replica of the Golden Hind in London on the south bank of the River Thames, where it sits as a museum and a reminder of Drake's amazing adventure.