1562: Master John Hawkins organized his first English slaving expedition after gathering intelligence from residents of the Canary Islands regarding the high…

1562: Master John Hawkins organized his first English slaving expedition after gathering intelligence from residents of the Canary Islands regarding the high demand for captives in Hispaniola. He secured financial backing from prominent London merchants, including Sir Lionel Ducket and Sir Thomas Lodge, who were enticed by the potential profits of the Guinea trade. Hawkins set sail with three specialized vessels: the 120-ton Salomon, the 100-ton Swallow, and the 40-ton bark Jonas. This voyage carried approximately 100 men and established the pattern for future English incursions into the Iberian slave-trading monopoly.