3709438 Crowning of Drake as the King of California (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration from Columbus and Columbia (Manufacturers\' Book Co, c.1893) Sir Francis Drake (c.1540-96) Elizabethan English sea captain, slave trader and privateer completed the second circumnavigation of the world 1577-80, acting as captain throughout. Sailing the unexplored Pacific Ocean in 1579 he landed in what is now California and maintained friendly relations with the Coast Miwok natives, while claiming the land for the English Crown as Nova Albion "New Britain". ).