Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe

Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe was one of the greatest voyages in human history. It was the first time that a European expedition had sailed around the world, and it changed the way that people thought about the world. Magellan's voyage was also one of the most terrifying and dangerous journeys ever undertaken. The crew faced starvation, disease, and mutiny, and they were constantly threatened by hostile natives and storms. But despite all of these challenges, Magellan and his crew persevered, and they eventually completed their journey.

Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe

by Laurence Bergreen

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12111 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	501 pages

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The Challenges of Magellan's Voyage

Magellan's voyage was a daunting undertaking from the start. The expedition set sail from Spain in 1519 with five ships and a crew of over 200 men. Magellan was a skilled navigator, but he had never attempted a voyage of this magnitude before. The crew was also inexperienced, and many of them were afraid of what lay ahead.

The first challenge that Magellan and his crew faced was the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic is a vast and unforgiving ocean, and the crew was battered by storms for weeks on end. Many of the men became seasick, and some even died. But Magellan refused to turn back. He was determined to reach the Pacific Ocean, and he knew that he had to cross the Atlantic to do so.

After crossing the Atlantic, Magellan and his crew reached the coast of South America. They spent several months exploring the coast, and they eventually found a passage through the strait that now bears Magellan's name. The Strait of Magellan is a narrow and treacherous passage, and it took Magellan and his crew weeks to navigate it. But once they had passed through the strait, they were finally in the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, and it was a daunting prospect for Magellan and his crew. They sailed for months without seeing land, and they began to run out of food and water. Many of the men died from starvation or disease, and Magellan himself was forced to eat rats and leather to survive.

But even when they were starving, Magellan and his crew refused to give up. They knew that they had to reach the other side of the Pacific Ocean if they wanted to complete their journey. And so they sailed on, until they finally reached the Philippines.

The Mutiny

The Philippines was the first land that Magellan and his crew had seen in months. They were overjoyed to be back on solid ground, and they were eager to resupply their ships. But their stay in the Philippines was cut short by a mutiny.

Some of the crew members were unhappy with Magellan's leadership. They felt that he was too harsh and that he was not sharing the wealth that they had acquired from their voyage. They also resented the fact that Magellan was planning to convert the natives to Christianity.

The mutiny was led by a group of Spanish officers. They seized control of one of the ships and sailed away. Magellan was furious, but there was nothing he could do to stop them. He knew that he could not continue his voyage without the support of his crew, so he decided to stay in the Philippines and try to rebuild his expedition.

Magellan and his remaining crew spent several months in the Philippines. They built new ships and recruited new crew members. They also converted many of the natives to Christianity. But Magellan was never able to forget the betrayal of his crew. He was determined to avenge the mutiny, and he planned to return to Spain and punish the mutineers.

The Death of Magellan

Magellan never made it back to Spain. In 1521, he was killed in a battle with the natives of the island of Mactan. He was outnumbered and outgunned, and he was killed by a poisoned arrow. Magellan's death was a tragedy, but it did not end his voyage. His crew continued on, and they eventually completed the circumnavigation of the globe.

The Legacy of Magellan's Voyage

Magellan's voyage was one of the most important events in human history. It proved that the world was round, and it opened up new trade routes between Europe and Asia. Magellan's voyage also inspired other explorers, such as Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama. These explorers followed in Magellan's footsteps, and they helped to create the global economy that we know today.

Ferdinand Magellan was a brave and determined explorer. His voyage was one of the greatest achievements in human history, and it changed the way that people thought about the world. Magellan's legacy lives on today, and he is still remembered as one of the greatest explorers of all time.

Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe

by Laurence Bergreen

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12111 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	501 pages

FREE