Ferdinand MagellanFerdinand MagellanWorld ExplorerWorld Explorer

Pgs. 142-144Pgs. 142-144

Ferdinand MagellanFerdinand Magellan

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

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

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

Early LifeEarly Life

Early in his career, Magellan Early in his career, Magellan sailed to India and to the Far East sailed to India and to the Far East many times around Africa's Cape many times around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. 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 Magellan proposed to King Charles V of Spain that a westward voyage V of Spain that a westward voyage around the tip of South America around the tip of South America would take them to Asia.would take them to Asia.

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

Magellan sailed from Seville, Magellan sailed from Seville, Spain, with five ships, the Spain, with five ships, the Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria, and Santiago. Victoria, and 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 looking for a quick route to the Pacific.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 of Magellan’s ships sailed through what Magellan’s ships sailed through what is now called the Strait of Magellan, is now called the Strait of Magellan, near the tip of South America.near the tip of South America.

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

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

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

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

Sharks followed the ships.Sharks followed the ships.

Land SpottedLand Spotted

In March 1521 the ships reached In March 1521 the ships reached the Philippine Islands.the Philippine Islands.

Magellan and his remaining crew Magellan and his remaining crew stayed in the Philippines for stayed in the Philippines for several weeks.several weeks.

Magellan was killed towards the Magellan was killed towards the end of the voyage in the end of the voyage in the Philippines, during a battle with Philippines, during a battle with the natives. the natives.

A Proven TheoryA Proven Theory

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

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

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