John Davis

by

Joyce Hemsley

Series of famous British names:

JOHN DAVIS
British Navigator/Explorer
Born near Dartmouth, Devon 1550
(Place of Maritime History)
Died, killed by pirates 1605
at Malacca. Famous for his
visit to The Falklands.
.. ... ... ... ...

When John Davis was thirty-five, he began
his first voyage in search of the Northwest
Passage ~ the sea from the Atlantic, round
North Canada coast, to the Pacific; this
was his main ambition; although the
Norwegian, Amundson, was first to actually
navigate this part of the world, as late
as 1903.

However, John Davis at thirty-seven, sailed
to Baffin Bay, through the "Davis" Straits -
obviously named after him. Many books have
been printed about his voyages around the
Northwest Passage, some written by himself.
The dates of his expeditions, make it clear
that this courageous explorer was continuously
at sea, coping with all weathers. 1958 he
joined the fight against the Armada.

I include the first part of my poem entitled
"Desolate Islands"...The Falkland Islands:

World history grew in fifteen ninety-two
When the British Explorer, JOHN DAVIS,
Visited neglected and faraway places...
Lonely bleak islands came into view.
He landed there, grey skies turned blue.
The Falkland Islands, East and West,
Were claimed at Britain's passionate behest,
And named after the Navy's Lord Falkland,
"Malvinas", Argentina called them.
Both countries fought unpopular wars
Each making claim to the heavenly shores.

I am pleased John Davis is number 100
on my list of great British persons as there
is a mass of information about him - which
could cover pages! It seems he gave his
whole life to the sea.

Sorrowfully he was killed by pirates, near
Sumara, which makes this a very very
sad tale indeed.

NEXT?
Why don't you look at The sounds at the soccer match
by: Muhammed Bagci
from: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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