Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) actually died of dysentery in 1596, off the coast of Panama. Dysentery is basically a bowel infection which causes severe diarrhoea. The disease is spread by poor hygiene, infected food or contaminated water. It is most likely that a combination of these three causes actually came together to infect Drake. The disease is a horrible form of vomiting and endless bowel movements, eventually leading to severe dehydration.
His death was untimely because he was one of the pioneers of exploration. He first made a name for himself as a pirate or buccaneer against the Spaniards in the Caribbean.
Although he was by this time a very wealthy man, he was sponsored by Elizabeth 1st to go on a round the world voyage (1577-1580) in the Golden Hind.
He then became the mayor of Plymouth in 1581, but fought against the Spanish Armada in 1588, much to the pleasure of the Queen.
His death was untimely because he was one of the pioneers of exploration. He first made a name for himself as a pirate or buccaneer against the Spaniards in the Caribbean.
Although he was by this time a very wealthy man, he was sponsored by Elizabeth 1st to go on a round the world voyage (1577-1580) in the Golden Hind.
He then became the mayor of Plymouth in 1581, but fought against the Spanish Armada in 1588, much to the pleasure of the Queen.