In the 1560s, John Hawkins made three voyage to the Caribbean, trading slaves that he had captured in the west of Africa. On his last trip he was attacked by the Spanish. Francis Drake was John Hawkins’ cousin. He accompanied Hawkins on his final voyage. He was driven by patriotism and an anti-Catholic desire to seek revenge for the attack on Hawkins.
Drake attacked Spanish treasure ships travelling from Mexico and Peru. He also attacked the Spanish port of Nombre del Dios in Panama. Drake then become the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe in 1577-80. Drake become vice-admiral of the navy and later played key role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
John Hawkins designed improved ships for the navy based on his experience of fighting the Spanish.
