William Adams was born in 1564 and was twenty-four during the Spanish Armada campaign. He commanded a supply ship in the English operations. His participation in firing on the Spanish fleet is considered probable, since supply vessels could join the running fight, but it is not established here. He reached Japan in 1600 at about thirty-five. His subsequent achievements there belong to roughly the final twenty years of his life.
Chapter · 15:14-16:52
Adams's maritime career before Japan
Adams reached Japan in 1600 after years at sea, leaving roughly twenty years for his career there.