Circumnavigation played a very important role in the discovery of the new world and that would not have been possible if not for the brave exploits of Hernando de Magallanes, or Ferdinand Magellan, as he is known in the modern world.
Ferdinand Magellan was born Fernão de Magalhães in Portugal in the year 1468. His father, Pedro Ruy de Magalhães, was the mayor of a town and his mother, Alda de Mezquita, was also a member of the nobility. Magellan’s upbringing was one of a noble’s, having been raised in the Court of Portugal where he learned the nautical sciences and astronomy. The knowledge he gained from these sciences filled him with enthusiasm and ambition to partake of the famed voyages that were being undertaken to discover new routes to the new world during that period.
Little was known about the life of Magellan before he entered the service of his country as a soldier, under the famed explorer Dom Francisco d ‘Almeda who, during that time, was trying to lay the foundation for a Portuguese viceroyalty in India. Magellan went back to Portugal in 1512 and joined the expedition to Morocco where he was badly wounded. He left the army without permission after a personal disagreement with his commander, and this impelled Almeida to report the event to King Manuel I of Portugal, which led to Magellan’s disgrace with the king.
Magellan was thrust into oblivion once more, as his unfavorable relationship with the king cut short his desire for glory. Forced to lead a dull life, Magellan once again committed himself to scholarly research, but his dream of leading an expedition to discover more about the new world never left his mind. It was during this time that he heard accounts about the recent discovery of the isles of Moluccas, known as the Spice Islands, by a friend and fellow explorer Francisco Serrão. Buoyed by this new development, he once again applied for a command of his own fleet to further explore the Spice Islands in the Pacific Ocean. King Manuel I of Portugal flatly refused Magellan’s request. Because of the bitter rivalry between Portugal and Spain, Magellan was prompted to seek his future and fame in Spain.
Receiving a warm welcome and acclamation in Spain, Magellan was granted approval by King Charles I of Spain in March 22, 1518 to command his own fleet to explore the Spice Islands, provided he will claim these new lands in the name of the King of Spain. The fleet consisting of five vessels, the Trinidad, the San Antonio, the Concepcion, the Victoria, and the Santiago, and with two hundred thirty-four men, sailed out from San Lucar de Barameda, Spain in September 20, 1519.
The route of their expedition took them around Cape Verde Islands, and Saint Augustine in Brazil, and on to the coast of the Bay of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in a futile search for a way to the western ocean. Winter caught up with the expedition and so, Magellan decided to temporarily stop the voyage and spend the cold winter in the harbor of San Julian, staying there for five months. It was during this time that Magellan was confronted with a mutiny by three ship commanders, Quesada, Mendoza, and Cartagena, which forced him to execute the first two and leave the last one ashore.
The expedition resumed its journey in August 24, 1520, and nearly two months after, they reached the straits which would take them to the open sea on the other side. Magellan named these straits Estreito de Todos los Santos, but now it bears his name in honor of his daring discovery.
As the expedition was about to enter the water channel, one of the ships named San Antonio, deserted the expedition and returned to Spain. Despite this setback, Magellan decided to continue with the voyage, and in November 21, 1520, he entered the inlet taking him to uncharted waters. After three weeks, Magellan reached the end of the straits and for the first time, his eyes behold a vast ocean which he named Mar Pacifico, or the Pacific Ocean.
It took him more than three months to sail the Pacific Ocean, all the while plagued by agonizing ordeals due to dwindling provisions. Finally in March 6, 1521, he reached the Ladrones or, what is known as the Mariana Islands at present time.
In March 16, 1521, a large island unexpectedly loomed before their eyes. Magellan named the island Archipelago de San Lazaro, a name which later extended to the whole of the archipelago and was subsequently known as the Philippines. Magellan decided to stop at one of the islands before they continue on with their voyage to Moluccas. The natives, along with their chieftain, Rajah Humabon, welcomed and treated the visitors well. Magellan saw the opportunity to spread Catholicism on this island.
After this, Rajah Humabon asked Magellan to kill the tribal leader, Lapulapu, who lived in the nearby island of Mactan. Magellan instead decided to introduce the Lapulapu to Christianity and so in April 27, 1521 he proceeded with his army to Mactan. It was here that Magellan met his death after facing the countless warriors of Lapulapu. Some of his men were able to escape, however, and reached the Moluccas in November 8, 1521.
After starting out with five ships, along with a crew of two hundred thirty-four persons, only the Victoria, and its remaining crew of eighteen men, was able to return to Spain in September 8, 1522. Although Magellan was not able to return to Spain, or even reach Moluccas, he achieved what was considered the gargantuan nautical task of circumnavigating the world. Magellan gave science the first factual proof that the earth is indeed round.
Ferdinand Magellan's Voyage Around the World
Magellan's Cross on the Island of Cebu
Ferdinand Magellan Lesson Plan
Magellan and the Naming of the Pacific Ocrean
Circumnavigations of the Globe
The Early Years and Accomplishments of Magellan
Magellan's Crew Sails Around the World