Golden Hinde (1973) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 
Golden Hinde moored by the Tower of London in 1974
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The Golden Hinde is a real-life, full-size copy of a famous ship from 1577, also called the Golden Hind. This amazing replica was built in 1973 using old-fashioned methods in a place called Appledore in Devon, England. It has sailed over 140,000 miles (225,300 km). That's like going around the world more than five times! Just like the original ship, this Golden Hinde has also sailed all the way around the globe.
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Building a Famous Ship Replica
The idea for the Golden Hinde replica came from Albert Elledge and Art Blum. A naval architect named Loring Christian Norgaard designed it. The ship was built by J Hinks & Son in Appledore. Work started on September 30, 1971, and it took two years to build. The ship was officially launched on April 5, 1973, by Diana, Countess of Devon.
Ship's Design and Features
The Golden Hinde has many interesting parts, just like old sailing ships.
- It has 3 tall masts.
- There are 6 sails in total, including 5 square sails.
- The hull, which is the main body of the ship, is made from Iroko wood planks. These planks are attached to strong oak frames, and the bottom part, called the keel, is made of elm wood.
Key Measurements of the Ship
- Length:
- Overall: 121 feet 4 inches (37 meters)
- Hull only: 102 feet (31 meters)
- Width: 22 feet (6.7 meters)
- Draft: This is how deep the ship sits in the water, about 14 feet (4.3 meters).
- Weight: The ship weighs about 290 long tons (295 tonnes).
- Mainmast Height: The tallest mast is 92 feet (28 meters) high.
- Sail Area: All the sails together cover about 4,150 square feet (385.5 square meters).
- Speed: It can sail at about 8 knots (15 km/h).
Steering and Equipment
- Steering: The original Golden Hind used a "whipstaff" to steer. This was a pole connected to the rudder. For safety, the replica uses a modern steering wheel.
- Capstan: A capstan is a large spinning drum used to pull up the anchor. On the Golden Hinde, it's found on the gun deck.
- Crew: The ship could carry about 80 to 85 sailors.
- Guns: It had 22 cannons for defense.
- Small guns called peteras were on the front and back decks.
- Long-range guns called falcons were also at the front and back.
- Larger guns called minions were on the main gun deck.
Amazing Journeys Around the World
The Golden Hinde started its first big trip from Plymouth, England, in late 1974. It arrived in San Francisco, USA, on May 8, 1975. This journey celebrated Sir Francis Drake's visit to California long ago.
After being used for filming a TV series in Japan, the ship sailed back to England. It traveled across the Indian Ocean, through the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. It arrived just in time for celebrations in 1980, marking 400 years since Drake's return to England.
Between 1981 and 1984, the ship stayed in England as a museum. But in 1984–1985, it sailed around the British Isles and then crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. In 1986, it went through the Panama Canal to visit British Columbia for a big event called the World's Fair.
The ship continued its travels, visiting ports along the US Pacific coast in 1987. In 1988, it went back through the Panama Canal to visit Texas. It explored ports on the Gulf of Mexico in 1989. From 1990 to 1991, it visited cities on the east coast of the US. Finally, in 1992, it returned home to tour the British Isles again.
The Golden Hinde in Movies
The Golden Hinde replica has been a star in several films! It appeared in:
- Swashbuckler (1976)
- Shogun (1980)
- Drake's Venture (1980)
- St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold (2009)
It also made a brief appearance in the TV series Shaka Zulu in 1986.
A Floating Museum in London
Since 1996, the Golden Hinde has been docked in London. You can find it at St Mary Overie Dock, near Southwark Cathedral. It's a popular spot for school visits. Children can dress up as Tudor sailors and learn about what life was like on a ship during the Elizabethan times. It's a fun way to experience history!
