Sir Richard Hawkins Essay Example for Free

Sir Richard Hawkins Essay Sir Richard Hawkins was an explorer, soldier and privateer. He followed in his father footsteps and became a well-respected mariner. He explored his whole live and never stopped looking for adventure out on the open see. We began with his live on land, then his maritime days and last end up at why he was such an important explorer and sea farer. Sir Richard Hawkins life began in Plymouth around 1562 to Katherine and John Hawkins. His dad was a famous Elizabethan explorer. Richard Hawkins never went to school. He grew up in the company of many mariners, including his father, William Hawkins, his uncle and Sir Walter Raleigh, learning about the sea and its trade. When he was 22 he went on his first voyages with his uncle, William, to Brazil. This was the start of Richards Hawkins expeditions and life on see. Richard Hawkins married Judith (Dame) Hele and had 6 children. The first, born in Deptford in 1592 was Judith, and then came Margret in 1603, John in1604, Richard, Johan 1607 and Mary. He bought the house and manor of Poole and Slapton located between Dartmouth and Start Point. This is where you spent the years of 1603 to 1605 writing a book called â€Å"Observations on His Voyage into the South Seas, AD 1593†. Richard at the age of 58 he continued his need for adventure by leading and expedition to the Mediterranean against the Barbary or North African pirates. Richard died on April 17, 1622 at the age of 60 in Slapton England. Richard Hawkins had many adventures at sea and continued to for as long as he lived. While on his trip to Brazil with his uncle, he captained one ship and was second command of another. They arrived back in Plymouth in November of 1582 with a bounty of around 8000.000 crowns. His next captaining job was of the Duck which carried of 240 guns of Spain’s and forced Spain to concentrate on strengthening their colonies defense. 2 years later he was captain his own ship called the Swallow, which he led against the Spanish Armada along with lending two more of his own ships. This was a battle lead by the Spanish against the British because of the protestant rule of Elizabeth I and piracies by British ships against the Spanish trade. It is said that Richard’s ship was the most damage. In 1590 Richard sailed with his father, who commanded a fleet of 6 ships to sail along the Spanish coast plundering goods. In 1593 he obtained a ship from his father, first named Repentance by his mother but changed to Dainty by the Queen. He departed Plymouth, crossed the Atlantic and raided Valparaiso, but was captured by several ships, 1300 Spaniard against his 75 men. He surrendered after the third day after being wounded on the condition his men be set free. He was imprisoned in Peru for 3 years and then in Madrid, where he attempted to escaped but was caught. He was ransomed for  £3,000 in 1602 which his step mother begrudgingly paid. When he return home he was knighted by King James the I, became mayor of Plymouth and its MP in the parliament. Sir Richard Hawkins was a very important man, a solider, navigator, shipbuilder, commander, father, son and employee. He is best known for his voyage to South Africa. Richard Hawkins also discovers the Falkland Islands which he mapped and named Hawkins Maidenland. Hawkins wrote the memories of his first sea trip under the title â€Å"Voiage into the South Sea†, which became the most famous Elizabethan adventure, re-published by the Hakluyt Society and reworked in Charles Kingsleys Westward Ho! He also used three of his own ships in the Armada in which he fought and risked his life and property to help the British won. He also was in England’s politics as a parliament member. He bombarded the Spanish fleets by stealing gold and treasures, enabling England to compete with Spain and supporting his country. Also, when he was captured by Spain he sacrificed himself for his crew. Without Richard sacrifice his crew could have been killed. From the beginning with Richards’s father also being an important mariner, it makes sense that Richard should become a mariner that surpasses his father. From the start of his first time to sea at 22 he never stopped seeking exploration and adventure. Without his contributes to exploration, parliament, the Armada, his novels, and his sacrifices to his men, country and family, the world would not be the same.