Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake was Queen Elizabeth I’s go-to man for naval warfare and exploration. This was a man who circumnavigated the globe (the second person to do so, in fact) and who claimed the territory that is now modern-day California for England. Drake also led the English navy against the Spanish armada. Plus, he’s credited with bringing not only tobacco but also potatoes to the British Isles. Quite a legacy. But, unlike many of his contemporaries, he was never granted a proper burial in Westminster Abbey. Instead, he body lies at the bottom of the ocean. A watery grave yet to be located.
Upon leaving the navy a hero, Drake went into business as a pirate. He also made a small fortune in the slave trade, taking captives from Africa to work in the English colonies of North America. Despite surviving countless battles, and despite having had a huge price on his head, Drake ended up dying of dysentery. He passed away, aged 56, while his ship was moored off the coast of Panama. As per his death bed request, he was dressed in his full uniform. He was then placed in a lead-lined coffin and this was thrown overboard.
Over the years, numerous attempts have been made to find Drake’s body. Most research points to him being buried at sea close to the wrecks of two British ships, the Delight and the Elizabeth. Both of these vessels sank soon after the legendary admiral’s death. Plus, it’s historical record that Drake died while moored off the coast of Portobelo, right next to the Panamanian shoreline. But despite the clues, no one has got lucky so far. For now, the Great Briton’s watery grave remains a mystery, and this doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.