L o c al S tudies E du c ation S eries Maritime history

The flagship Neustra Senora del Rosario in Torbay, August 1588 The In 1585, Elizabeth I, the Protestant command: Francis Drake on the Revenge, Queen of England, sent an army to John Hawkins on the Victory and Martin Holland to defend the Protestant Dutch Frobisher on the Triumph. Drake knew the against persecution by their Catholic Spanish preferred combat at close ruler, Philip II, King of . This led quarters where their soldiers could board to war between England and Spain, two and overpower the English ships, so he of the most powerful nations in Europe. used long-range guns on ships designed Philip sent a massive Armada of 130 by John Hawkins, which were faster and ships to invade England and in July 1588 could change direction more quickly than the ships were sighted off Cornwall. the Spanish. He also used an old Navy Sir Francis Drake, Vice- of the trick to scatter the Spaniards as they sailed Fleet, was playing bowls on Plymouth in formation. Hoe when a messenger brought the Eight fire ships - empty but for tar and news. He responded with the famous gunpowder - were set ablaze under full- words: ‘There is plenty of time to finish sail with guns double-loaded to explode the game and beat the Spaniards’. in the intense heat and sent into the heart A year earlier, Drake had ‘singed the of the Spanish fleet. Mayhem followed as King’s beard’ when he led a daring raid on the Spanish ships fled from the path of the the port of Cadiz and delayed the Armada burning booby-traps. by sinking or capturing thirty-seven of Defeat turned into disaster as the Philip’s ships. Drake was known as ‘El Spaniards retreated and were pursued Draco’ (The Dragon) by the Spaniards, around Scotland and Ireland where many who believed he had a magic mirror in his of their ships were wrecked in a violent cabin, which enabled him to find and raid storm. Two-thirds of the 30,000 task force their treasure convoys sailing from South died on the expedition. It is also estimated America. that only half of the Armada returned to Queen Elizabeth’s Admiral of the Fleet, Spain. In stark contrast, apart from the fire Lord Charles Howard, had three of the ships, not a single vessel was lost by the greatest sea captains of the age under his English fleet in an historic victory. THE GHOST OF THE George Cary of Cockington, who had organised the defence of South Devon, SPANISH BARN ordered many of the prisoners to be The richest prize taken from the Armada returned to the Rosario ‘to live upon was the capture of the flagship Neustra such victuals as do remain in the said Senora del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary). ship, which is very little and bad, their Laden with treasure-trove including gold fish unsavoury and bread full of worms’. coins, diamond-hilted swords, wine and The Spanish had believed they were munitions, the was severely damaged invincible and several officers brought when it collided with another Spanish their wives and girlfriends along on the vessel. The of the crippled voyage. Although there is no evidence to ship, Don Pedro de Valdes, surrendered support the story, it is claimed that one without a fight when challenged by the such couple, a lieutenant and his fiancée, feared of the Revenge. ‘El Draco’ were on board the Rosario. To avoid trained his cannon on the sitting target and being parted by their English captors, the delivered a chilling ultimatum, ‘I am Francis girl disguised herself as a sailor and the Drake and my matches are burning’. couple were imprisoned Crowds from Brixham, Paignton and together in the Spanish Barn. Torquay gathered along the coastline Sadly, the young woman as the Rosario was towed into Torbay caught a chill and died. Her and 397 captive mariners and soldiers sorrowing ghost is said to brought ashore. They were imprisoned haunt the barn and temporarily in the Old Barn at Torre roam the grounds Abbey (now known forever as the of Torre Abbey Spanish Barn). There were angry searching for her demonstrations against the would-be lost love. invaders and local people resented sharing their harvest with the enemy.

DID YOU KNOW? For his part in preparing the defence of South Devon against possible invasion, The Spanish word ‘Armada’ means a Queen Elizabeth bestowed a knighthood fleet of ships. on George Cary of Cockington (see Armada Park, Chelston opened in 1956. Local Studies Education Series - Streets in the area also honour famous Cockington). Elizabethan seafarers including: Howard Devonians Francis Drake and John Close, Drake Avenue, Hawkins Avenue Hawkins were cousins. In 1596, they and Frobisher Green. both fell ill and died during a voyage in The Neustra Senora del Rosario remained the Caribbean and were buried at sea. in Torbay for nearly five weeks and was then towed by eight Brixham fishing boats During his attack on Cadiz in 1587, to Dartmouth. The galleon was later broken Drake captured cargoes of hoops up at Chatham Naval Dockyard, Kent. and staves used for making barrels continued over Did you know continued in which food and drink were stored ‘Armada chests’. (One is now on display and preserved onboard ship. This in the entrance to Torquay Museum.) action forced the Spaniards to equip The sailor’s favourite off-duty past the Armada with casks made with time was gambling - playing dice and unseasoned wood. The wood dried and backgammon. They had no beds and split, causing food to rot and making water an undrinkable green slime. either slept at their posts or in the rat- infested holds. The unsanitary conditions Treasurer of the Navy, John Hawkins, spread killer diseases such as dysentery, was responsible for raising the pay of fever and plague. ordinary seamen from 33p to 50p a month and providing rations of beer, The Golden Hind in Brixham Harbour bread, biscuits, meat, fish, bacon and is a replica of the ship in which Francis cheese. The lack of fruit and vegetables Drake became the first Englishman to in the diet of sailors caused a nutritional circumnavigate the world. The voyage disorder called scurvy with unpleasant took three years and was completed symptoms of extreme weakness, mental when he sailed into Plymouth Sound in depression, diseased gums, anaemia and 1580. (For more about life at sea in the haemorrhaging (bleeding under the skin). 16th Century log onto the following Churches collected money for families websites: www.goldenhind.co.uk and of naval casualties in large wooden www.maryrose.org)

FURTHER INFORMATION about the following historic buildings and Books containing information about the museums which are well worth a visit: Spanish Armada available from Torbay Torre Abbey Historic House & Gallery, Library Services include: King’s Drive, Torquay. Tel: 01803 293593 Devon & The Armada by John Roberts Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Road, (1988) Torquay. Tel: 01803 293975 The Spanish Armada by Christopher Falkus Oldway Mansion, Paignton. Tel: 01803 (1972) 201201 The National Trust Book of The Armada by Brixham Heritage Museum, Bolton Cross, Mary Connatty (1987) Brixham. Tel: 01803 856267 For more about the history of Torbay - visit the Local History Collection at Torquay Central Library or view the website (www. torbay.gov.uk) for information on the following subjects: History of Torquay/Torbay’s Heritage/ People and Places/Famous People. The site also contains opening times, news of LIBRARY SERVICES forthcoming events and general information