The 102 foot long replica of Drake's ship, the Golden Hind, had been converted in 1954 from an old coastal sea-defence vessel and for many years was a tourist attraction in the harbour at Brixham in Devon, as well as being used for film and television. It cost £25,000.
On November 9 1987 she was being towed by the tugboat Pendragon to Dartmouth Harbour to have a new keel fitted when she began taking on water. 55mph winds and 9 foot waves made the rescue of the crew on board difficult, and it was impossible to save the ship which foundered in the River Dart. A new replica was built using an old Thames barge, and once more moored at Brixham.
The establishing shot in the opening credits and used occasionally to represent Queen Elizabeth's palace is Compton Wynyates, a Tudor era manor house in Warwickshire. Elizabeth stayed there in 1572, and it has been frequently used as a movie location.
The end credits are shown against a background depicting Drake's Drum, which accompanied him around the world 1577-80. A replica is on display at his home, Buckland Abbey, while the original is in a climate-controlled store. According to legend, if England is in danger the drum beats (or is beaten) to summon Drake's help.