Sir Francis Drake was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world

Drake is known for being the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world on a single expedition, which from 1577 to 1580 included his incursions into the Pacific Ocean until it became an exclusive territory of the Pacific Ocean. Spain and his claim of the New Albion for England is now the US state of California. His exploration of the west coast of the Americas, which had hitherto been mostly uncharted by Western navigation, ushered in a period of strife with the Spaniards.

In addition, a covert pirate campaign against the Spanish was also authorized by Queen Elizabeth during Drake's voyage to the world. Since Drake was a privateer, the crown authorized him to plunder enemy ships and cargoes. Drake was given a mission by Elizabeth to conduct an invasion of the Spanish possessions along the American Pacific coast.

Drake also became the first Englishman to view the Pacific Ocean on this journey, matching the feat of the Spaniard Vasco Nez de Balboa in 1513, by scaling a tall tree in the Isthmus of Panama's central highlands. As he approached the Pacific Ocean, Drake said, "I hope one day an Englishman will be able to sail it." Years later, as part of his voyage around the globe, he would succeed in doing just that.

Sir Francis Drake, the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, returned to England across the Pacific in his 100-ton flagship The Pelican (later The Golden Hind). The queen knighted him as payment, transforming him into Sir Francis Drake.