What’s in a Name? Musings on Ship’s Names and History

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16th Century England's Most  Infamous Privateer

Ahead of the curve on the handlebar moustache trend.
If you do any research into 16th maritime history, there’s no denying that Sir Francis Drake was an incredible mariner, explorer, tactician, and businessman. It should also be noted, however, that he got his start as a slave trader, thanks to his earlier association with his cousin Christopher Hawkins. Starting as the son of a tenant farmer, he was able to make his way to the royal court of Queen Elizabeth I. By the age of 40 he had travelled all over the known world and amassed great wealth and fame; he was also the second person to circumnavigate the globe and claimed California for England. As a privateer, he was a national hero as he filled England’s coffers with plundered Spanish gold and silver; to the Spanish, he was known as a dreaded pirate with a bounty on his head.

Capturing the Nuestra de Whatever
In 1577, Queen Elizabeth asked Drake to attack Spanish settlements and shipping routes on the Pacific coast. One of his most daring raids led to the capture of the Spanish ship the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción which became Drake’s most famous prize. Interestingly, it also earned the nickname Cacafuego, which most school books translate as “Spitfire,” but the actual translation is “Sh-t Fire” or “Fire Sh-tter.” They returned triumphantly to England, where, by law, the Queen was entitled to half of Drake’s plunder—an amount that surpassed the Crown’s income for that entire year! For one born a commoner, Drake became quite a star as he was elevated into the Queen’s inner circle and celebrated for his daring explorations and his lucrative raids and conquests. The Queen showered him with gifts, awarding him a knighthood and his own coat of arms.

Cacafuego is probably my favorite name for a warship. It’s bold, it’s coarse, and it means business. So many modern-day warships are named after people or cities. It’s an honor, but it doesn’t really intimidate anyone. If you are staring down the barrel at the Defiant, Revenge, or perhaps, Sh-tfire, that just might give you pause.

And now, here are my...

Top 10 Least Favorite Ship Names


10. Campbell’s Sloop

9. Lollipop

8. Plaga de Ratas

7. Pink Floyd

6. Mastis Mizzen

5. Bilgewater Aplenty

4. Idle Warship

3. Leaky Lightening

2. Pantelones del Fuego

1. Sinky McShipfaced

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