Ferdinand Magellan was trying to find a way to sail through the land mass of the new world (the Americas) to reach the Spice Islands and ultimately circle the earth with his ships.
The search proved difficult, but finally in October of 1520, after almost a year and the loss of one of his five ships, he found what would come to be known as the “”Straits of Magellan.” It took him 38 days to sail through the straits, but he eventually reached the Pacific at the end of November 1520.
Not realizing how large the Pacific was, they thought a crossing would only take a few days. Exhausted and almost out of supplies, four months later the ships reached Guam (March 1521). The explorers were now able to find fresh supplies and continue their quest to reach the Spice Islands.
Unfortunately Magellan was killed by Philippine natives only a month later, although his crew eventually completed their journey – having lost 4 of their original 5 ships! The surviving ship finally returned to Spain in the fall of 1522 proving Magellan’s belief in circumnavigation true. Sadly he never lived to see it.
Straits of Magellan
