In order to prove the Spice Islands (known less commonly as Moluccas) were actually property of Spain, the First Circumnavigation of the Globe began in 1519, and was led by explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The objective was to find a direct route to the Spice Islands and Spanish Peru. That was argument enough over ownership for these lands. Magellan sailed from Spain on his expedition in a fleet of five ships, but the expedition was more problematic than expected. Disease, torrential weather, and Portuguese attack plagued Magellan and his crew and slowed their voyage. On the 27th of April, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan died in the Philippine Islands while attempting to convert a native tribal chief to the Christian religion. Two ships remained, and the crew continued the expedition back to Seville, Spain. The First Circumnavigation of the Globe was completed by 18 of the late Magellan's crew aboard a single ship.