Site of Drake's Landing Declared

[bravoactual]

http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Point-Reyes-declared-Drake-landing-site-3966058.php.

Sir Francis Drake discovered California for his queen.....or so the legend goes.

His vessel "The Golden Hind" circumnavigated the world in 1570's. For many years, it was debated by historians where exactly Drake landed in Northern California or did he land elsewhere.

Point Reyes National Sea Shore seems to have been designated. Drake's beach is there.

In 1579, The Golden Hind penetrated "The Mists" as Drake called them and landed on what is Northern California. He had sailed past Half Moon Bay and San Francisco Bay.

Drake made contact with the local Native Americans (Coastal Miwoks) and did necessary repairs to his ship. He put up a brass shield, claiming the area for Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Drake continued his voyage and returned to England. Spain claimed California for Phillip and history moves on.

 

[m.lewin92]

amazing

 

[Grandma]

Cool!

 

[bravoactual]

Historians in California debated where Francis Drake landed for over 100-Years. It was known that Drake had indeed landed in California, but the actual landing area was always in doubt.

A few years near Lemon Tower Beach a small wooden post was found at low tide, the literal rusty nail was found driven into the post. That area is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the nail was given to the U.S. Park Service. It was carbon dated and came back as being at least 400-years old.

It was known that Drake was looking for a landing site, "The Golden Hind" was in need of repair, but fog had kept Drake from landing in Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay and San Francisco Bay. He had been sailing up the Coast of California during a Heavy Fog.

He lucked out at Drake's Beach and Landed. The Miwoks were not a hostile tribe (as opposed to some the more nastier groups further South). Drake remained in California for maybe one to three months before setting off again.

Drake completed his circumnavigation and returned to England and Good Queen Bess.

 

[Moonglow]

The natives discovered Drake on the beach. When do they make it into the history books?

 

[bravoactual]

The natives discovered Drake on the beach. When do they make it into the history books?

Francis Drake took several Miwoks back to England. For the most part the Miwoks were farmers and fisherman. Some of course died from illness (Small Pox usually). The Spanish tried to Convert.

Most Native Americans in the Bay Area were either killed outright by Spain or made slave labor, after becoming Christian.

 

[Mr. H.]

A 400 year old nail. That means there has to be a 400 year old hammer out there somewhere.

Neat bit o' history.

 

[whitehall]

Fitting that California honors a pirate.

 

[bravoactual]

Fitting that California honors a pirate.

Not honoring him, the Landing Site. Get a grip.

 

[Mr. H.]

There's a nail on a post in a hole at the bottom of the bayyyy.....

 

[Wry Catcher]

File:Wpdms usgs photo drakes bay.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Google Image Result for http://california-travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/drakes_bay_lrg.jpg

The Blue Elephant: Recent Aerial Photos, Returning from Portland

Drakes Bay is an undeveloped region within Marin County, the county across the GG Bridge from SF. My Avatar is a photo (not of me) of the surf at Mavericks, about 50 miles south of Drakes Bay (Mavericks is on the Northern edge of Half Moon Bay.).