Sir Francis Samuel Drake, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Francis Samuel Drake, 1st Baronet
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| Born | 1729 |
| Died | 19 October 1789 |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | – 1789 |
| Rank | Rear-Admiral of the Red |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
Sir Francis Samuel Drake (born 1729, died 1789) was an important officer in the Royal Navy, which is the British navy. He was known for his service in two big wars: the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence. He rose through the ranks to become a Rear-Admiral of the Red.
Early Life and the Seven Years' War
Francis Drake was born in 1729 in a place called Buckland Monachorum in Devonshire, England. He was the fourth son of Sir Francis Drake, 4th Baronet. His family was famous, as they were related to the legendary Elizabethan naval hero, Sir Francis Drake.
Francis started his naval career as a lieutenant. He served on ships like the 44-gun HMS Torrington and the 60-gun HMS Windsor.
In 1756, during the Seven Years' War, he was promoted to command the 10-gun sloop HMS Viper. Later that year, he became a post-captain and took command of the 20-gun HMS Bideford. In 1757, he moved to command the 50-gun HMS Falkland. He stayed with the Falkland for five years.
Drake served in the West Indies between 1757 and 1758. He then went to St. Helena to protect trading ships returning home in 1759. That same year, he was part of a squadron that defeated the French navy at the Battle of Quiberon Bay on November 20, 1759.
He continued to serve in different locations. In 1760, he was in the St. Lawrence River in North America. In 1761, he was with Sir James Douglas in the Leeward Islands during the Invasion of Dominica. He also served under Sir George Rodney in 1762 during the Invasion of Martinique. During this time, he moved to command the 50-gun HMS Rochester, which he led until the war ended.
Service in the American War of Independence
After the Seven Years' War, Drake commanded the 70-gun HMS Burford in 1766. From 1772 to 1775, he commanded the 74-gun HMS Torbay, which was a guardship at Plymouth.
When the American War of Independence began, Drake was given command of the 74-gun HMS Russell in 1778. His ship was part of a squadron heading to America. However, a strong storm damaged the Russell, forcing Drake to return to England for repairs. He finally sailed to America in the spring of 1779. For about a year, he served with Vice-Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot's fleet.
Drake was then sent to join Admiral Rodney in the West Indies. He took part in operations against the Dutch islands, including the Capture of Sint Eustatius. He was also part of a group of ships that blocked Martinique. There, in the Battle of Fort Royal on April 29, 1781, his ship, HMS Gibraltar, fought bravely against the French fleet.
In August 1781, Drake sailed to North America. He commanded the front line of ships at the Battle of the Chesapeake on September 5. His ship, the Princessa, was badly damaged in this battle. He had to temporarily move his flag to another ship, the 74-gun HMS Alcide.
He later returned to the West Indies and fought in the Battle of Saint Kitts in January 1782. On April 12, 1782, he commanded the front line of ships again during the important Battle of the Saintes. For his excellent leadership in this battle, he was made a baronet on May 28, 1782. He remained in the West Indies until the war ended. After this, he did not serve in the navy again.
Later Life and Family
On August 12, 1789, Sir Francis Samuel Drake was appointed a lord of the admiralty, which meant he was part of the group that managed the Royal Navy. However, he passed away shortly after, on October 19, 1789.
He was married twice. First, to Elizabeth Hayman, and later, in 1788, to Pooley Onslow. Sir Francis Samuel Drake did not have any children, so his title as a baronet ended when he died.
