Ferdinand Magellan

Magellan set sail with 237 crew members

Sep 20, 1519

Magallen and 237 crew members set sail on 5 ships from Sanlucar de Barrameda in the hopes of finding a short cut to the spice islands.

Ferdinand Magellan

Period: Sep 20, 1519 to Sep 8, 1522

Magellan crosses tip of South America

Oct 1, 1520

Magellan and his crew crossed the treacherous straits at the tip of South America which became known as the Strait of Magellan.

What happened to Magellan

Apr 27, 1521

During an attempt to convert the native Chief Mactan to Christianity, Magellan was wounded by an arrow that was driven through his foot by a native warrior. Mactan, who had become upset ordered warriors to attack. Magellan died on the 27 April, 1521. That day most of Magellan's crew escaped and set sail.

A new expedition leader

Apr 30, 1521

With the loss of their leader, Juan Sebastian Del Cano took control of the ship and sailed for Spain. Only two ships and 47 men remained. Portuguese forces captured one of the ships leaving Victoria as the only ship . Severe storms and Portuguese attacks battered the Victoria. As the Portugues forces bore down on the expedition near the Cape Verde Islands, Del Cao was forced to continue towards Spain without supplies or rest.

Expedition returns

Sep 8, 1522

Finally, the Victoria made it back to Spain with only 18 men surviving and one ship completing the first circumnavigation of the world.