TLDR;
This documentary recounts the ambitious and perilous voyage led by Ferdinand Magellan in the 16th century, which resulted in the first circumnavigation of the globe. It details the challenges faced by Magellan and his crew, including starvation, mutiny, and the ultimate death of Magellan in the Philippines. The journey's completion by Juan Sebastian Elcano and the remaining crew of the Victoria marked a pivotal moment in history, proving the Earth's true scale and opening new trade routes.
- Magellan's voyage aimed to find a westward route to the Spice Islands.
- The expedition faced mutiny, starvation, and navigational challenges.
- Magellan died in the Philippines, but Juan Sebastian Elcano completed the circumnavigation.
- The voyage proved the Earth's circumference and opened new trade routes.
- The spices brought back were worth more than gold, but the crew did not get to enjoy the wealth.
The Unlikely Return [0:02]
In 1522, the ship Victoria arrived in Seville with only 18 surviving crew members, completing the first circumnavigation of the globe. This voyage, initiated in 1519, opened new trade routes, revealed the Earth's true scale, and cemented Ferdinand Magellan's legacy as a celebrated explorer. The journey was marked by courage, endurance, starvation, mutiny, heroism, and death. A modern replica of the Nao Victoria is currently circling the globe to commemorate this historic voyage.
Magellan's Ambitious Goal [3:22]
Ferdinand Magellan's voyage began on September 21, 1519, with a fleet of five ships and 241 men from diverse nations. Magellan, driven by the dream of finding a Spanish trade route to the Spice Islands, aimed to circumvent the Pope's division of the world between Spain and Portugal. Spices were highly valuable in the 16th century, worth more than gold. Magellan's plan was to find a westward route to the Spice Islands through Spanish waters, a route never before sailed.
Navigating the Unknown [7:03]
Navigating the uncharted waters was challenging due to the lack of accurate maps. Magellan's proposed route was believed to be blocked by the South American continent. Magellan claimed to know of a passage below South America that would lead to the Spice Islands, though he kept the source of his information secret. Keeping the crew in the dark about the voyage's true extent was dangerous and nearly destroyed the mission.
The Character of Magellan [10:31]
Manuel Ves Boess, a direct descendant of Magellan, describes him as a man of contrasts: physically short, sure of himself, and not one to brag. Magellan spent eight years as a soldier in the Portuguese Fleet in the Indian Ocean, gaining a reputation as a fighter and risk-taker. Slighted by the Portuguese court, he sought to emulate Vasco da Gama by completing Columbus' unfinished task of finding a route around South America. Magellan's ambition to achieve this extraordinary feat became an obsession.
Confronting the Atlantic [13:12]
Magellan's first challenge was crossing the Atlantic, an ocean known for claiming many lives. The ships faced furious squalls and strong currents, causing them to wander aimlessly. The sense of risk was enormous, as the ships lacked modern safety equipment. The storms battered the ships, tearing sails to shreds. Exhausted and fearful, the men prayed for divine intervention.
Signs and Wonders [15:55]
During the storms, the crew witnessed the phenomenon of St. Elmo's Fire, which they interpreted as a divine sign. This perceived visitation from a saint had a profound effect, pushing them through their ordeal. Almost four months after leaving Spain, the battered fleet approached the coast of South America.
The Coast of South America [18:00]
The fleet made landfall near present-day Rio de Janeiro and followed the coast south. Pigafetta, the ship's chronicler, recorded strange and wonderful things, including parrots, monkeys, flying fish, and natives who painted themselves and practiced cannibalism. They reached 35° South, the farthest any Westerner had been down the South American coast.
The River Plate Disaster [19:14]
Magellan expected to find the passage at this point, but instead, they discovered a gigantic inlet, the River Plate. After 15 days of exploration, the truth dawned: this was a dead end. Magellan's certainty about the passage was shattered, but turning back was unthinkable. He decided to continue south along the desolate Patagonian coast into winter.
Hardships in Patagonia [21:01]
Conditions on deck were harsh, with constant exposure to water and cold. The search for a passage continued for three months without success. Supplies were running low, and the days were growing shorter. On March 31, 1520, they sought shelter in St. Julian Bay.
Mutiny and Control [23:02]
When Magellan reduced rations, his captains presented a petition demanding a return to Spain. This was unacceptable to Magellan, who had gambled everything on finding the passage. The cold, hunger, and lack of faith in Magellan led to a mutiny. Magellan acted quickly, dispatching his loyal Master at Arms to one of the mutinous captains. The leaderless crew quickly caved in, and Magellan regained control, making a brutal example of the treacherous Captain Casada.
Winter and Loss [26:11]
With the mutineers subdued, the crew settled in for the winter, an incredibly dismal experience. Food was scarce, and one of the ships, the Santiago, was destroyed on the rocks. Despite these hardships, Magellan remained focused on his goal.
The Discovery of the Strait [27:06]
After seven months, the four surviving ships moved on, searching for the elusive passage. Finally, they spotted whalebones, a sign of a possible migration route to the open sea. On October 21, 1520, they found a strait, which they called the Cape of the 11,000 Virgins. The water tasted salty, indicating a connection to another sea.
Navigating the Strait [28:34]
The fleet entered a maze of islands and potential dead ends. One ship, the San Antonio, deserted and headed back to Spain, carrying most of the provisions. Magellan ordered the remaining three ships to proceed northwest. After 38 frustrating days, they finally found the exit to the open sea.
Triumph and the Pacific [31:22]
Magellan had found the fabled passage, now known as the Strait of Magellan. He wept for joy, realizing he stood alongside Columbus and Vasco da Gama. On November 28, 1520, Magellan led the fleet north into the Pacific, naming it the Pacific Sea due to its calm waters.
Into the Unknown [33:38]
Even the night sky was different, with the crew marveling at the Southern Cross and the Magellanic Clouds. On December 18, 1520, the fleet turned northwest into the heart of the Pacific. Magellan mistakenly believed he was only three days from the Spice Islands, based on inaccurate maps. He was about to discover that the Earth's circumference was much larger than previously thought.
Starvation in the Pacific [37:13]
As weeks passed, the crews began to starve again, eating oxhides, worm-infested biscuits, and rats. After almost five months and 20,000 km, they finally made landfall in the Philippines. Magellan had led the fleet to safety, and the Spice Islands were only a few days' sail to the south.
The Philippines and Conversion [39:29]
The islands of the Philippines seemed like paradise, with fresh water, lush rainforests, and welcoming locals. Magellan set about securing the route to the Spice Islands by claiming the Philippines for Spain. He used Christianity as a tool, convincing the locals of its benefits and demonstrating the power of his weaponry.
Magellan's Fatal Mistake [41:20]
Magellan decided to support a local chief by attacking the rival chief of Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu, who had refused to be baptized. On April 27, 1521, Magellan and 50 of his men arrived on the beach at Mactan to battle Lapu-Lapu and a thousand of his men. Magellan's fatal mistake was arriving at low tide, which left his ships and cannons out of range.
The Death of Magellan [44:20]
As the battle ensued, Magellan's men ran out of ammunition, and Lapu-Lapu's men surged forward. Magellan was struck in the leg with a javelin and then overwhelmed and killed. Magellan never circumnavigated the globe, and his dreams ended in the Philippines.
Elcano Takes Command [46:51]
Magellan's death could have ended the expedition, but the remaining men knew the Spice Islands were close. Reduced to two ships, the survivors set off to find the islands. Juan Sebastian Elcano took command of the Victoria.
Reaching the Spice Islands [47:23]
Elcano brought good fortune, and they finally sighted the Spice Islands. The 28,000 km journey had cost the lives of over 100 men, but the surviving crew finally reached their destination. The spices were worth more than gold.
The Return Journey [49:39]
Elcano and his men understood the value of the spices and knew they had to get them back to Spain. The two remaining ships had to choose between returning the way they had come or continuing west through enemy waters. The Trinidad headed east but was captured by the Portuguese. Elcano sailed west on the Victoria, navigating through uncharted waters to avoid capture.
Hardships and Scurvy [51:09]
Two months and almost 5,000 km later, they encountered terrible storms. Elcano and his men began to run dangerously low on rations, and the starving men developed scurvy. Ironically, the cargo of cloves contained vitamin C, which could have saved them.
Triumph and Loss [52:58]
Elcano escaped scurvy by eating quince jelly, which contained enough vitamin C to protect him. He led the Victoria across vast oceans, past the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Verde Islands, back to Spain. Of the 241 men who began the journey, only 18 returned.
The Legacy of the Voyage [54:30]
The Victoria became the first ship to circumnavigate the globe, proving the Earth was round. Elcano was honored for his achievement. The cargo of spices was seized by the king of Spain. Pigafetta's diaries remain the definitive record of the voyage. Elcano attempted a second circumnavigation but died of scurvy. Magellan and Elcano, along with their men, shared one of the greatest voyages of discovery, defining the shape and size of the Earth and changing the world forever.