Model, of armed merchantman Golden Hind

This wooden model is made to represent the armed merchantman, the 'Golden Hind', Sir Francis Drake's famous ship. Originally named the 'Pelican', Sir Francis changed its name in 1578 at a ceremony to mark the fleet's entry to the Straits of Magellan. The model was built to a scale of 1:32 by Mr R Paterson of Lasswade in Midlothian.

The vessel was originally fitted out for raiding the Spanish towns on the Pacific coast of South America. Unfortunately, no contemporary illustration of the 'Golden Hind' exists.

Drake left Plymouth in 1577 with six vessels and 160 sailors, soldiers and volunteers. He changed the 'Pelican's' name in honour of Sir Christopher Hatton, the principal supporter in a syndicate of adventurers financing the expedition. Hatton's family crest was a golden hind. The 'Golden Hind' was the only vessel to complete the circumnavigation of the globe. She arrived back in England in 1580, laden with plunder. The dry dock and house planned to preserve her were never completed and she collapsed from decay 100 years later.

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