John Davis blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Born at Sandridge on the Dart, he made three Arctic voyages in 1585/7 to find a north-west passage to China, and discovered the Davis Strait. John Davis 1550-1605 He invented the Davis quadrant and backstaff. He sighted the Falkland Islands in 1592. Later he was pilot to the East India Co. and in 1605 he was killed by pirates off Sumatra. Recorded plaque organisation: Dartmouth and Kingswear Society, Dartmouth Town Council.

John Davis, a prominent English navigator and cartographer of the Elizabethan era, is remembered for his Arctic expeditions aimed at discovering the Northwest Passage, leading to the discovery of Davis Strait, and for his innovations in navigation instruments such as the backstaff. He also played a significant role in early voyages to the Falkland Islands and was involved with the East India Company until his death by pirates off Sumatra in 1605.