The
Golden Hind was the
flagship of the famous
English privateer,
Sir Francis Drake. Drake captained the Hind for a period of three years, from 1578 to 1580, and commanded his
flotilla of five privateer vessels on a voyage from
England, to
North America and
South America, to
Asia,
Africa, and back to
England once again. Drake was actually the first
Englishman to
circumnavigate the earth, and certainly this accomplishment secured his (and his ship's) place in world history.
The Golden Hind was originally named the Pelican but on its second voyage, Drake rechristened the ship in honor of his friend and fellow privateer, Christopher Hatton, whose crest featured a hind.
It is estimated that Golden Hind plundered over £600,000 worth of treasure in its day (approximately £25 million today). This was almost unheard of for a 15-gun sloop to accomplish, and since most of this treasure went directly to the British Crown, it certainly contributed to the British victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.
For those who are interested, the ship is still intact, has been restored, and is moored in Brixam Harbour, Brixam, Devon in the United Kingdom and tours are available.