Submitted By: ggitzen@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
On Thursday June 27th, at the Wheeler Waterfront Park, the Sir Francis Drake Association of Oregon and California board members observed the 450th anniversary of Francis Drake’s anchorage in Nehalem Bay during his 1577-1580 circumnavigation. Garry Gitzen, President of the Oregon chapter, read from the voyage journal describing Drake’s encounter with the Natives and flora & fauna as: We fell with a convenient and fit harbor ¾ mile across and came to anchor therein, until we continued until the 23rd day of July [old Julian calendar] (August 2nd new Gregorian calendar). During all that time, so near the sun during the Summer we were continually cold…and although the cold was second nature the Natives came shivering and often shroud themselves under [fur] garments to keep them warm….” The journal went on to describe the Snowy Plover as: “The poor bird’s souls not daring to so much as once to arise from their nests, of which we had plenty of observances, until the eggs have hatched.” The journal went on to: “showing trees without leaves [PNW fir, spruce, cedar, noble, redwood, hemlock and yew].
Afterwards, members gathered in Wheeler at 125 First St to erect a 12 ft. by 8 ft. banner. Additionally, various flags were raised of: a symbol of St. George, patron saint of all English Navigators and would have been displayed on Drake’s sails; a flag describing the four corners of the globe sailed during the circumnavigation; a British flag; and a flag recognizing Drake’s anchorage in Oregon.
Everyone in the tri-cities is welcome to drive by and read the banner of Drake’s land claim he called Nova Albion, an old name for England so-called by the Romans. Please do not trespass on the property.
Afterwards, members gathered in Wheeler at 125 First St to erect a 12 ft. by 8 ft. banner. Additionally, various flags were raised of: a symbol of St. George, patron saint of all English Navigators and would have been displayed on Drake’s sails; a flag describing the four corners of the globe sailed during the circumnavigation; a British flag; and a flag recognizing Drake’s anchorage in Oregon.
Everyone in the tri-cities is welcome to drive by and read the banner of Drake’s land claim he called Nova Albion, an old name for England so-called by the Romans. Please do not trespass on the property.
Drake’s ship Golden Hind off the coast of Tillamook circa 1979
