Ferdinand MagellanFerdinand MagellanWorld ExplorerWorld Explorer

Ferdinand MagellanFerdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) was Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) was a Portuguese explorer who led the first a Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition that sailed around the Earth expedition that sailed around the Earth (1519-1522). (1519-1522).

Magellan also named the Pacific Magellan also named the Pacific Ocean. The name means a calm, Ocean. The name means a calm, peaceful ocean. peaceful ocean.

Early LifeEarly Life

Magellan was born in Magellan was born in Northern Portugal.Northern Portugal.

His parents were His parents were members of the members of the nobility. nobility.

They were wealthy and They were wealthy and powerful. powerful.

Early LifeEarly Life

Early in his career, Magellan sailed to Early in his career, Magellan sailed to India and to the Far East many times India and to the Far East many times around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

He sailed for his native Portugal, He sailed for his native Portugal, but a dispute with the Portuguese but a dispute with the Portuguese King Manoel II turned him against King Manoel II turned him against the Portuguese. the Portuguese.

Thereafter, he sailed for Spain. Thereafter, he sailed for Spain.

A New Route to AsiaA New Route to Asia

Magellan proposed to King Charles V Magellan proposed to King Charles V of Spain that a westward voyage of Spain that a westward voyage around the tip of South America would around the tip of South America would take them to Asia.take them to Asia.

The voyage began September 8, The voyage began September 8, 1519.1519.

Magellan sailed from Seville, Spain, Magellan sailed from Seville, Spain, with five ships, the Trinidad, San with five ships, the Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria, and Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria, and Santiago. Santiago.

A Long JourneyA Long Journey

For months Magellan sailed up rivers For months Magellan sailed up rivers into the middle of South America into the middle of South America looking for a quick route to the Pacific.looking for a quick route to the Pacific.

Each time he failed to find a water Each time he failed to find a water route.route.

In the fall of 1520, In the fall of 1520, three three of Magellanof Magellan’’s s ships sailed through what is now ships sailed through what is now called the Strait of Magellan, near the called the Strait of Magellan, near the tip of South America.tip of South America.

A Diff icult JourneyA Diff icult Journey

After crossing the Strait of Magellan, After crossing the Strait of Magellan, the ships sailed across the Pacific.the ships sailed across the Pacific.

As the months passed, their food As the months passed, their food spoiled.spoiled.

They ate biscuits crawling with worms, They ate biscuits crawling with worms, and drank yellow water.and drank yellow water.

They ate rats, sawdust, and leather.They ate rats, sawdust, and leather.

A Diff icult JourneyA Diff icult Journey

Many sailors died of hunger.Many sailors died of hunger. Others died of Others died of scuryscury , a sickness , a sickness

caused by not getting enough vitamin caused by not getting enough vitamin C, which is found in fruits and C, which is found in fruits and vegetables.vegetables.

Dead sailors were tossed in the Dead sailors were tossed in the ocean.ocean.

Sharks followed the ships.Sharks followed the ships.

A Proven TheoryA Proven Theory

Three years later in Sept. 1522, only Three years later in Sept. 1522, only one ship - the Victoria - made it back one ship - the Victoria - made it back to Spain, carrying only 18 of the to Spain, carrying only 18 of the original 270 crew members. original 270 crew members.

What Columbus believed was finally What Columbus believed was finally proven true.proven true.

Europeans could reach Asia by sailing Europeans could reach Asia by sailing west but first they had to go around west but first they had to go around the Americas.the Americas.