Single Richest Prize of His Swashbuckling Career

[In 1587 C.E., English Captain Francis] Drake had captured the single richest prize of his swashbuckling career, one of the grandest hauls of the century. The [Spanish galleon] San Felipe carried an imperial fortune in pepper, cloves, cinnamon and other spices, in silks and calico, in indigo and ivory, in gold, silver and caskets of gem stones. The total worth came to £114,000, more than three times the value of all the goods and shipping captured or destroyed at Cadiz. The Queen took £40,000 as her share, Drake £17,000, and the rest was split among officers, crew members and other shareholders. At a time when the Navy Board under Hawkins’ direction spent £6,000 a year, Drake had brought home more than enough money to underwrite England’s defense against any impending invasion. The capture also gave another hard knock to [King] Philip’s credit rating, further delaying his preparations for the Armada.

— The Armada, pp. 60