Operation Drake
Encyclopedia
Operation Drake was a round-the-world voyage with the participation of young people from many countries. The voyage was centred around the brigantine Eye of the Wind
. She left Plymouth in October 1978 and returned to London two years later, in December 1980.
Named after Sir Francis Drake
, who had circumnavigated the world four hundred years before on the Golden Hind
. Operation Drake was divided up onto 9 ocean and 1 land based phases, each lasting about 3 months. On each phase, a number of Young Explorers, youngsters aged between seventeen and twenty-four, who were selected from countries all over the world, worked together on serious scientific exploration, research and community projects.
The expedition was mounted by the Scientific Exploration Society, and the expedition leader was Colonel John Blashford-Snell
. HRH Charles, Prince of Wales
was the Patron of Operation Drake.
Eye of the Wind
The Eye of the Wind is a ship built in 1911 by C Lühring of Brake, West Germany, originally as a topsail schooner named 'Friedrich'.-History:The 'Friedrich' was initially used as a schooner for the South American hide trade...
. She left Plymouth in October 1978 and returned to London two years later, in December 1980.
Named after Sir Francis Drake
Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth I of England awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the...
, who had circumnavigated the world four hundred years before on the Golden Hind
Golden Hind
The Golden Hind was an English galleon best known for its circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake...
. Operation Drake was divided up onto 9 ocean and 1 land based phases, each lasting about 3 months. On each phase, a number of Young Explorers, youngsters aged between seventeen and twenty-four, who were selected from countries all over the world, worked together on serious scientific exploration, research and community projects.
The expedition was mounted by the Scientific Exploration Society, and the expedition leader was Colonel John Blashford-Snell
John Blashford-Snell
Colonel John Nicholas Blashford-Snell OBE is a former British Army officer, explorer and author.John Blashford-Snell was educated at Victoria College, Jersey and at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, then commissioned into the Royal Engineers.Amongst his expeditions have been the first descent...
. HRH Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
was the Patron of Operation Drake.
Published Books
- "Operation Drake", by John Blashford-Snell (W.H. Allen, London 1981, ISBN 0491029659)
- "In the Eye of the Wind", by Roger Chapman (Hamish Hamilton, London 1982, ISBN 0241107644)
- "Operation Drake - Voyage of Discovery", by Andrew W. Mitchell (Wm Collins & Sons & Co, 1982, ISBN 0727820079)