John Hawkins (naval commander)

Sir John Hawkins ( * 1532 in Plymouth, † November 12, 1595 at sea off Puerto Rico ) was an English navigator and pirate. As one of the first English slave trader, he acquired by trafficking between Africa and the West Indies great wealth.

Life

The trade with the West Indies

In response to a trade embargo Spain English and French privateers began in the mid -16th century, plundering Spanish ships, transports and cities in the Caribbean, as well as to illicit trade. John Hawkins was one of them, his cousin Francis Drake another.

Hawkins had family contacts in the Admiralty and the rich merchants, which his rapid rise beneficiary. First, he had taken to America in 1562 with the help of the English crown the slave trade from Africa. The Spanish, who had a de facto monopoly in the slave trade, saw its trade efforts smuggling. Since its subsidiaries in the new world but - compared with European standards - were made ​​economically on their own and equipped military and insufficient organized, Hawkins had some opportunities to complete commercial transactions. He had the most trade interested governors give only the ability to maintain or be able to justify to the Spanish crown her face.

So it was on his second voyage (1564-1565) before Rio Hacha on May 21, a scuffle with the Spaniards, followed by a transaction. The same strategy of honorable bloodshed or sham attack, he turned again later on before Cartagena. In April, the Governor in Borburata ( Burboroata ), Alonso Bernaldez, however, was too fast to Hawkins received threats ( even the normal taxes of 7.5 % to the Spaniards paid ) and was therefore sentenced to a heavy fine.

The third trip

The third voyage ( 1567-69 ) occurred at Hawkins with six ships, two of which belonged to the Queen. In advance of the scheduled trip, there were protests of the Spanish ambassador and an incident with Spanish warships in Plymouth. On the way to Africa his flotilla seized on some vessels and took it and in Sierra Leone black slaves on board. In the West Indies he -actuated means of extortion or at least feigning the same ( burning down some houses, feint ) important commercial transactions. Just before Cartagena, he was forced to withdraw by the governor there faking it a combat-ready force.

After a storm Hawkins San Juan de Ulua need to start at Vera Cruz, as this was the place for the repair of large vessels. There he captured the dignitaries who held his (now consisting of ten ships fleet ) for the silver fleet of the new viceroy Martín Enríquez de Almansa and hurried on board. With these hostages he could blackmail the access to the island Fort Gallega and then put his men in wait to intercept an expected from Veracruz gold transport. But the gold transport was warned and turned, instead, the fleet of the Viceroy arrived (13 ships, but only a warship ) and soon followed 120 soldiers from Vera Cruz. On September 23 morning, the Spaniards began the attack, stormed the island fort and opened the cross fire on the English ships. Only two of them, Judith Drake under (50 tons ) and the Minon under Hawkins ( 300 tons, belonged to the Queen ) escaped. Move had to be left behind due to lack of food Hawkins 104 man: from his ship reached only 15 men England. After returning to Drake and Hawkins at odds, it was about Drake's quick escape and to embezzlement. (see also Main article: San Juan de Ulua )

Later years

In spite of miscarriage Hawkins trading company was about 1570 commercially very successful. It had tonnage of 2090 tons and over 13 ships that were at least 60 tons in size. However, since its fleet could drive no more trade under the Spanish boycotts, he had to get weighed the Spaniards somehow. On August 11, 1571 Hawkins entered secretly on the Spanish side and was rewarded. But he quickly realized that he was no match for this dangerous treason and retired in time of the affair.

From Queen Elizabeth I. He was promoted to treasurer and beaten for his contributions to the Knight. As one of three Vizeadmirälen he wore in 1588 to fight the Spanish Armada to the victory of the English fleet.

In 1595 he took part in a planned attack on Spanish cities in the Caribbean next to Sir Francis Drake. However, he died before reaching the first destination city of San Juan on November 12, 1595 in Puerto Rico fever.