Francis Drake's Golden Hind. Cutaway artwork of the English galleon the 'Golden Hind' that is most famous for circumnavigating the globe. This voyage, between December 1577 and September 1580, was captained by Francis Drake (c.1540-1596). It had originally been called the 'Pelican', but was renamed in 1578. This wooden sailing ship was 37 metres long, had three masts (the main one 28 metres tall), and a crew of 80. It had 22 cannons, eight on deck and fourteen on the gun deck. Ballast stones are shown in the bilge (bottom centre). After the voyage, the ship was displayed in Deptford for around 100 years before it rotted away and was broken up.