-
Sep 1, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan
In September, Ferdinand Magellan sails from Spain in search of a westerly route to the Indies. Sailing down the coast of South America he discovered the narrow straight passing through to the Pacific Ocean which today bears his name. To the south lies Tierra del Fuego which the early geographers assumed to be the edge of the southern continent. -
Sep 1, 1578
Francis Drake
In September, Francis Drake passes through the Straights of Megellan only to find himself blown significantly
southward due to a tremendous storm in the Pacific. This event proved that Tierra del Fuego was separated from any southern continent and the passageway came to be known as the "Drake Passage". -
John Davis
In August, the Englishman John Davis, in the DESIRE, discovered the Falkland Islands. This was a tragic expedition as the crew were forced to eat some 14,000 penguins which they were forced to kill for food. Stored as properly as possible, once they reached the tropics the penguin meat spoiled and subsequently only 16 members of the original crew of 76 ever reached home shores. -
Antonio de la Roché
In April, Antonio de la Roché is blown south of Cape Horn and experiences the first sighting of South Georgia. -
Yves Joseph de Kerguélen-Trémarec
In February, Frenchman Yves Joseph de Kerguélen-Trémarec discovers the Îles Kerguélen. -
Jean-Baptiste Bouvet de Lozier
Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Bouvet de Lozier discovers Bouvet. The island is not sighted again until 1808. Due to significant ice packs, the first landing did not take place until the American Morrell landed in 1822. -
Captain James Cook
In January, Captain James Cook and his crew become the first men to cross the Antarctic Circle. -
Captain Cook
In January, Captain Cook, on his third voyage, sails past South Georgia and discovers the South Sandwich Islands two weeks later. -
Frederick Hasselborough
In July, Australian Frederick Hasselborough discovers Macquarie Island while searching for new sealing grounds. -
William Smith
In February, Englishman William Smith is blown to the south while rounding Cape Horn and discovers the South Shetland Islands, claiming them for Great Britain in October. -
Henrry Bull
In January, Henryk Bull lands in the Antarctic at Cape Adare. A member of the party, Carsten Borchgrevink, finds lichen on an offshore island becoming the first signs of plant life. -
Douglas Mawson and Edgeworth David
In January, Edgeworth David, Douglas Mawson and Alistair McKay reach the South Magnetic Pole.