English expedition to Valdivia facts for kids
The English rulers had thought about taking over parts of Chile, which was then controlled by Spain, for many years. In 1655, a man named Simón de Casseres even suggested a plan to Oliver Cromwell to capture Chile with just a few ships and a thousand men.
After a war between England and Spain ended in 1668, John Narborough was chosen for a secret journey to the Pacific Ocean, also known as the South Seas. He started his trip from Deptford, England, on September 26, 1669. He reached the Straits of Magellan in October of the next year.
Narborough's Secret Journey
In 1670, John Narborough visited a place called Port Desire in eastern Patagonia. He claimed this land for England. His expedition made several stops along the way.
Arrival at Corral Bay
Finally, in late December 1670, the expedition arrived at Corral Bay. This area was heavily protected by the Spanish. Narborough's crew met with the Spanish soldiers there. Even though England and Spain were at peace, the Spanish commanders were very suspicious of Narborough's real reasons for being there.
The Spanish demanded that four English sailors stay behind as hostages before they would let Narborough's ship into the bay. Narborough agreed. He claimed his ship needed help and supplies. However, the Spanish refused to give them any food or provisions. They noticed that the English crew looked healthy, and they were still unsure about Narborough's true goals.
Leaving Hostages Behind
Suddenly, Narborough decided to leave. His ship sailed out of Corral Bay on December 31. The four English hostages, along with a man named Carlos Enriques, were left behind. They were sent to prisons in Lima, the capital of Peru. There, they faced many questions as the Spanish tried hard to find out what Narborough's secret mission was.
Narborough returned home in June 1671. He did not achieve his original goal of exploring or taking over any territory. A book about his journey was published in London in 1694. It was called An Account of several late Voyages and Discoveries to the South and North.
See also
In Spanish: Expedición de John Narborough a Chile para niños
