The Famous Voyage was a mystery before it began; only a handful of the men who set out from England on the Golden Hind in 1577 had any idea of the journey's original destination, and perhaps not even Francis Drake had an inkling of how long a path they would eventually follow. The mystery continued after the voyage ended; secrecy fostered confusion and, as will be seen on these pages, the confusion persists to this day.
Author's Note: Some of this material is adapted from or relates to my yet-unpublished book Francis Drake in Nova Albion - The Mystery Restored, in which these and neighboring thickets are explored much more deeply than on these few web pages. Thus there may be references here not fully explained, or answers missing their questions. Also lacking here is documentation, provided in the book by 782 endnotes. - Oliver Seeler
