John Hawkins, the second son of wealthy West Country merchant trader William Hawkins, was born in Plymouth. His early voyages to the Spanish-held Canary Islands exposed him to the lucrative trade of selling African slaves in Spain’s American colonies. In 1559, he married Katharine Gonson, the daughter of the treasurer of Queen Elizabeth I’s navy, and with the help of Gonson and his associates, Hawkins embarked on his first slaving voyage in 1562 with three ships.
Despite Portugal’s nominal control over Africa, Hawkins engaged in capturing several hundred people into slavery and subsequently exchanged them for goods in Cuba. However, his ships that reached Spain were seized, and their cargo was confiscated due to his failure to obtain a proper license. Despite the setbacks, Hawkins reaped enormous profits, prompting the support of courtiers, nobles, merchants, and naval officials for a new expedition in 1564. Queen Elizabeth I even loaned Hawkins a ship, the Jesus of Lubeck.
Hawkins’s subsequent voyages were marked by conflicts with Africans and the Spanish government’s prohibition of trade with foreigners. Despite these challenges, the profits from his ventures exceeded expectations, leading to further expeditions. However, moderates on the Privy Council delayed his intended voyage for a year, during which time Hawkins’s fleet engaged in hostilities with approaching Spanish ships.
In 1567, Hawkins sailed for the west coast of Africa with the Queen’s Jesus and other smaller ships, including the Judith commanded by his relative Francis Drake. The expedition initially encountered little resistance from Portuguese and Africans but faced a significant setback in 1568 when they were put into the Mexican port of San Juan de Ulla (Veracruz). A confrontation with a well-armed Spanish fleet resulted in the loss of companions, goods, and ships, forcing Hawkins to return to England in 1569.
Subsequently, Hawkins pretended to join the service of the King of Spain and managed to deceive Philip II into releasing captives and providing financial compensation. In the following years, Hawkins transitioned from sea voyages to a political career, serving as a member of Parliament for Plymouth and holding positions in the navy. Despite questionable ethics, he made significant contributions to naval construction.
During the war with Spain in 1587-1588, Hawkins’s ship designs proved superior, and he was knighted for his role in the English victory. However, Spain’s navy improved after its defeat, and Hawkins’s post-Armada venture with Martin Frobisher failed. In 1595, Hawkins set sail once more as second-in-command to Drake but passed away before the voyage commenced. He was buried at sea off Puerto Rico on November 12, 1595.
Hawkins left a substantial sum of money to Queen Elizabeth I in his will, but his most enduring legacy was the seaworthy ships he designed and built. His contributions to naval technology and his role in shaping England’s maritime prowess have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. John Hawkins’s life was marked by both triumphs and setbacks, from his early exploits in the African slave trade to his later achievements in naval construction and warfare. His legacy as a pioneering merchant trader and naval innovator continues to resonate in England’s maritime heritage.