I have written about Sir Francis Drake’s circumnavigation, but of course he wasn’t the first. On the 6th of September, 1522, the Victoria returned to Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain. It was the only surviving ship of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition and the first ship known to have sailed around the world.
Ferdinand Magellans circumnavigation of the globe is a landmark in the annals of exploration, exemplifying human resilience, determination, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Born in 1480 in Sabrosa, Portugal, Magellan embarked on an extraordinary journey that would change the course of history, despite his own life ending before the voyages completion.
In the early 16th century, the Age of Discovery was in full swing. European powers, primarily Spain and Portugal, were engaged in fierce competition to find new trade routes and territories. The lucrative spice trade was particularly coveted, with cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon fetching high prices in European markets. At the time, Portugal dominated the eastern sea route around Africa to the Spice Islands (the Moluccas). Magellan, having fallen out of favour with the Portuguese court, presented his ambitious plan to the Spanish crown: to reach the Spice Islands by sailing westward, thereby establishing a new route.
On the 20th of September, 1519, Magellan set sail from Seville with a fleet of five ships: the Trinidad (his flagship), San Antonio, Concepción, Victoria, and Santiago. The fleet carried around 270 men of various nationalities. Their journey took them across the Atlantic Ocean, stopping briefly on the coast of South America. The expedition faced numerous challenges, including navigational difficulties, harsh weather, and growing tensions among the crew.
Magellans fleet ventured southward, searching for a passage through South America that would connect the Atlantic to the Pacific. After enduring a grueling winter in Patagonia, they discovered the strait that now bears Magellan’s name, the Strait of Magellan, in October 1520. This treacherous, narrow waterway proved perilous, with strong currents and unpredictable winds. During this phase, the San Antonio deserted, returning to Spain.
Emerging from the strait into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Magellan and his crew faced their most harrowing ordeal. They underestimated the size of the Pacific, expecting a short voyage to the Spice Islands. Instead, they endured nearly four months of starvation and scurvy, with limited supplies and no fresh food. Many crew members perished during this time. Despite these hardships, Magellan named the ocean “Mar Pacfico” (Peaceful Sea) due to its relative calm compared to the turbulent waters of the strait.
In March 1521, the fleet reached the Mariana Islands, where they replenished supplies, and shortly thereafter arrived in the Philippines. Here, Magellan became involved in local politics, forging alliances with indigenous leaders and attempting to convert them to Christianity. This involvement culminated in the Battle of Mactan on the 27th of April, 1521, where Magellan was killed by warriors led by the local chieftain, Lapu-Lapu.
Following Magellans death, leadership of the expedition passed to Juan Sebastin Elcano. The crew, now gravely diminished, decided to continue to the Spice Islands. They eventually reached the Moluccas, loaded the hold of the Victoria with valuable spices, and prepared for the return voyage. The Concepción was scuttled due to insufficient crew to man all the ships.
The Victoria, under Elcanos command, embarked on the arduous journey back to Spain via the Indian Ocean, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, and finally reaching Seville on the 6th of September, 1522. This epic voyage had taken nearly three years, covering more than 42,000 miles. Of the original 270 crew members, only 18 survived to complete the first circumnavigation of the globe.
Magellans expedition had profound implications. It provided irrefutable proof that the Earth is round and can be circumnavigated by sea. The journey also offered valuable insights into global geography, including the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and the diversity of cultures and ecosystems encountered. Economically, it forged new maritime routes, although the Spanish found sustaining them challenging due to Portuguese dominance in the region.
Magellan himself did not live to see the completion of his grand vision, but his leadership, navigational skill, and indomitable spirit laid the foundation for one of humanitys greatest achievements. The voyage demonstrated the interconnectedness of the world, setting the stage for the global exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures that would shape the modern era.