The Golden Hind
Treasure Ship in Marin
The Mighty VesselThe terror of the Spaniards in the Pacific, the Golden Hind was about 80 feet long in the oak hull, 23 feet maximum breadth, and drew 13 feet of water. Her 18 cannons fired 6-pound shot, outgunning every Spanish ship in the Pacific. She carried about 60 officers and men on her nearly 3-year voyage around the world at an average speed of about 3 knots. She entered Drakes Bay on June 17, 1579. The bay is now part of Point Reyes National Seashore.
Peruvian Silver at Drakes Bay
The Golden Hind was ballasted with 26 tons of silver when she anchored in the little cove pictured in this drawing from Drake's visit. The cove is at the west side of the entrance of Drakes Estero. The bluffs and hills can still be seen while the sand spit and island shift over time.
The silver came from Upper Peru and some
had been coined into one-ounce Pieces of Eight.
Queen Elizabeth's share of Drake's treasure
enabled her to retire her debt and build up her
fleet. Drake's share assured that he could enjoy
the knighthood which he received from the
Queen after his return to England.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1579.
Location. 37° 56.68′ N, 122° 30.529′ W. Marker is in Larkspur, California, in Marin County. Marker can be reached from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Larkspur CA 94939, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sir Francis Drake (here, next to this marker); Golden Gate Ferry (here, next to this marker); Green Brae Brick Kiln (approx. 0.2 miles away); Greenbrae Brickyard Superintendent's Cottage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (approx. 1.6 miles away); Mission San Rafael Arcangel (approx. 2.3 miles away); Marin (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Mission San Rafael Arcangel (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Larkspur.
Also see . . .
1. Did Drake Really Do It? (Marin, Sept. 12, 2011). (Submitted on July 23, 2020.)
2. Tiny cove many believe Sir Francis Drake repaired...suddenly reappears (SFGate, July 18, 2001). (Submitted on July 23, 2020.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 23, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
