The History of Drake's Island
He who holds the Island holds Plymouth
Sir Francis Drake
Born out of the sea 400 million years ago Drake’s Island has been a place of pilgrimage, a refuge, a fort, a prison, an observatory and an adventure centre. The fortifications have defended Plymouth from the time of the Spanish Armada to the World Wars. It has been the starting point for the voyages of discovery of some of the greatest of our explorers, Drake, Cook and Darwin. Still a place of mystery and rumour discover Drake’s Island and the lives of those that lived there. For the latest Island news including how to book tickets for a guided tour go to Historic Visitor Attraction in Plymouth, Devon | Drake’s Island (drakes-island.com)
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THE 1890’s, THE ROUTLEDGE FAMILY GROWS, DRAKE’S ISLAND GETS SEARCHLIGHTS, BREECH LOADING GUNS AND MORE BABIES, THE THREE TOWNS GROW, NEW RESERVOIRS BUILT, TRAMS BEGIN OPERATING, RAILWAYS EXPAND, THEATRES OPEN AND ELECTRICITY ARRIVES
1891 Census Statistics for the UK and the Three Towns The census showed the population for Plymouth had increased to...
THE 1880’S, SMEATON’S TOWER AND DRAKE’S STATUE ARE ERECTED ON THE HOE, HMS HOWE REPLACES THE IMPREGNABLE AND THE ROUTLEDGE FAMILY SUFFERS TRAGEDY
THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION IN 1881 Colonel Urabi’s Revolt in Egypt. Britain was mainly involved in colonial conflicts...
THE 1870’S, THE ROUTLEDGE FAMILY EXPANDS ALONGSIDE THE THREE TOWNS AND THERE IS A MUTINY ON DRAKE’S ISLAND
The next census in 1871 coincided with the formation of Germany as a country with Kaiser Wilhelm I as Emperor. The...