English ship Aid (1562) facts for kids
English ships fight the Spanish Armada, 1588
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 England |
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| Name | Aid or Ayde |
| Builder | Deptford Dockyard |
| Launched | 6 October 1562 |
| Fate | Broken up in 1599 |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Armed ship |
| Tons burthen | 300 burthen |
| Armament |
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Aid or Ayde was an important English warship from the 1500s. She had 18 guns and was built at Deptford Dockyard in 1562. This ship was part of many big events during her time. She sailed with famous explorers like Sir Martin Frobisher. Aid also helped defend England against the powerful Spanish Armada. She was used for almost 40 years before being taken apart in 1599.
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Aid: A Ship's Story
Aid was one of three ships built in 1562. This was because England felt threatened by France. Her first job was to help supply the English soldiers. These soldiers were stationed in Le Havre, a port city in France. This duty continued until French forces took control of the port in August 1563.
Sailing to Scotland (1565)
In 1565, Aid was sent to Scotland. This was during a political problem called the Chaseabout Raid. An English captain named Anthony Jenkinson sailed Aid into the Firth of Forth. He wanted to stop Lord Seton from bringing weapons from France. These weapons were for Mary, Queen of Scots.
Jenkinson was told not to say he was sent by the English government. Strong winds pushed his ship close to the cannons of Inchkeith island. So, he had to return to Berwick-upon-Tweed. His mission did not go as planned.
Exploring the Northwest Passage (1577)
Aid's next big adventure was in 1577. The ship was given to Martin Frobisher for his second trip. He was exploring what is now the far northern islands of Canada. Frobisher commanded Aid. Two smaller ships, Gabriel and Michael, joined them.
About 120 men sailed from Harwich on May 31, 1577. The expedition brought back 200 tons of rock. However, this rock was not as valuable as the people who paid for the trip had hoped. They also brought back three Inuit people. Sadly, all three died within a month of arriving in England.
Second Northwest Passage Trip (1578)
Another journey followed in 1578. This time, Frobisher took about fifteen ships. Their goals were to find the Northwest Passage, mine more rock, and start a settlement. The trip was very difficult. Strong winds and thick ice stopped them from going past the Hudson Strait.
They had to turn back to Frobisher Bay. There, Aid was hit by a large piece of ice. This made a hole below the waterline. Workers had to fix it with a sheet of lead. They decided not to build a settlement. The ships returned to England with over 1,000 tons of rock.
Wars with Spain (1580s)
Aid was rebuilt in 1580. This was because relations with Spain were getting worse. Under Frobisher's command, Aid helped in the Siege of Smerwick. This was when an English fleet removed Spanish and Papal forces from Dún an Óir.
Aid stayed under Frobisher's command. She was one of two ships Queen Elizabeth I gave to Sir Francis Drake. This was for his trip to the Spanish West Indies in 1585. Later, Aid was part of Drake's fleet at Plymouth. She was there to meet the Spanish Armada.
Aid stayed with the fleet from July 31 until the Spanish were defeated. This happened at the Battle of Gravelines eight days later. Aid was also involved in the Counter Armada the next year. This mission did not go well for the English.
