The Explorers Podcast · Tuesday, September 29, 2026
The English expedition to the Spanish Main in the summer of 1595, led by maritime legends Francis Drake and John Hawkins, was severely hampered by dysentery and fever. Both Hawkins and Drake succumbed to illness, and their attempts to capture San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Panama resulted in heavy casualties and eventual withdrawal.
“However, on the voyage across the Atlantic, the English fleet suffered a wave of dysentery and fever amongst the crew.”
“Hawkins caught this bug and on November 12th, 1595, he died as a result.”
“And like Hawkins, Drake was struck by the illness.”