The Tempest

On this day in 1577, Francis Drake set sail from Plymouth on what was supposed to be ​an expedition against the Spanish along the Pacific coast of the Americas. 

The journey was however cut short due to poor weather conditions that threatened his little fleet of five ships. The storm was so strong that the mast of Drake's flagship, Pelican, later to be renamed The Golden Hinde,  had to be cut overboard to save it. Another ship, Marigold, was driven ashore and, according to Francis Petty, one of Drake's Gentlemen at Arms, was left "...somewhat bruised". The fleet was forced to take refuge in Falmouth, Cornwall, from where it returned to Plymouth for repair.

This scene was built by James Pegrum as part of a series of models on important events in British history; Drake's story is to be continued...  

​Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see these models first.