In 1567 Hawkins with nine ships revisited the West Indies, but this time ill-fortune overtook him.  Driven by bad weather into the harbor of San Juan de Ulloa, he was attacked by the Spaniards, several of his ships were sunk, and some of his men were captured and later put to torture by the Inquisition.  Hawkins escaped with two of his ships, and after a long and stormy passage arrived safe in England (January 25, 1569).[15] Queen Elizabeth was greatly offended at this conduct of the Spaniards, and in reprisal detained a squadron of Spanish treasure ships which had sought safety in the port of London from some Huguenot cruisers.

In this expedition one of the two ships which escaped was commanded by a young man named Francis Drake, who came to be regarded as the greatest seaman of his age.  He was the son of a clergyman, and was born in Devonshire, where centred for two centuries the maritime skill of England.  While a lad he followed the sea, and acquired reputation for his courage and sagacity.  Three years after the affair at San Juan, Drake fitted out a little squadron, and in 1572 sailed, as he himself specially states, to inflict vengeance upon the Spaniards.  He had no commission, and on his own private account attacked a power with which his country was at peace.[16]

Drake attacked Nombre de Dios and Cartagena, and, as the historian relates, got together “a pretty store of money,” an evidence that his purpose was not wholly revenge.  He marched across the Isthmus of Panama and obtained his first view of the Pacific Ocean.  “Vehemently transported with desire to navigate that sea,” he fell upon his knees, and “implored the Divine Assistance, that he might at some time or other sail thither and make a perfect discovery of the same."[17] Drake reached Plymouth on his return Sunday, August 9, 1573, in sermon time; and his arrival created so much excitement that the people left the preacher alone in church so as to catch a glimpse of the famous sailor.[18]

Drake contemplated greater deeds.  He had now plenty of friends who wished to engage with him, and he soon equipped a squadron of five ships.  That he had saved something from the profits of his former voyage is shown by his equipment.  The Pelican, in which he sailed, had “expert musicians and rich furniture,” and “all the vessels for the table, yea, many even of the cook-room, were of pure silver."[19] Drake’s object now was to harry the coast of the ocean which he had seen in 1573.  Accordingly, he sailed from Plymouth (December 13, 1577), coasted along the shore of South America, and, passing through the Straits of Magellan, entered the Pacific in September, 1578.