Ferdinand Magellan: Fact or Fiction
Early Life
Ferdinand Magellan was born in Sabrosa, Portugal, in 1480 into a noble family. After serving as a court page for two years, his adventurous spirit led him to a career as an explorer. In 1506, Magellan went to the Spice Islands (Indonesia) to participate in several military and exploratory expeditions. In 1510, he was promoted to the rank of captain. In 1512, he was stationed in Morocco and made preliminary plans to find a western shortcut to the Spice Islands. Unfortunately, Portugal’s king, Emmanuel, refused to finance his journey, and in 1517, Magellan renounced his Portuguese citizenship. He promptly offered his services to King Charles I of Spain. Charles I agreed to finance Magellan’s trip in the hopes of becoming the king of the richest nation in the world.
Circumnavigation
On September 20, 1519, Magellan and 237 crew members set sail on five ships from Sanlucar de Barrameda in the hopes of finding a shortcut to the Spice Islands. After three long months of sailing the Atlantic, Magellan and his crew anchored near Rio de Janeiro in present-day Brazil. After trading with local natives, Magellan and his men quickly set sail again, ever worried about the threat of Portuguese ships. As the expedition continued, the weather got worse, and several crew members were executed for trying to take over the ship. Others were starving or suffering from frostbite. As the ships neared the southern tip of South America, one ship smashed into the beach and lost all supplies. Nevertheless, in October of 1520, Magellan and his crew crossed the treacherous straits at the tip of South America, known as the Straits of Magellan.
Trouble in the Pacific Ocean
As the expedition passed through the straits, they entered the vast Pacific Ocean, which Magellan named. Things worsened as the crew suffered from extreme hunger, surviving by eating rats, sawdust, leather, and maggots. At least 20 men died from disease, particularly scurvy and starvation. On March 6, the ships reached Guam. Crew members collected clean water and food while alert for attacks by natives. Soon, they sailed to the Philippines, converting natives to Christianity. Attempting to convert native chief Mactan, Magellan was wounded by an arrow driven through his foot. Mactan ordered an attack, killing Magellan on April 27, 1521. Most crew members escaped.
Return to Spain
Juan Sebastian del Cano took command after Magellan’s death, sailing for Spain. Only two ships and 47 men remained. Portuguese forces captured one ship, leaving only the Victoria. Severe storms and Portuguese attacks battered the Victoria. Forced to sail without supplies or rest, del Cano returned to Spain on September 8, 1522, with just 18 survivors, completing the first circumnavigation of the world.