The Death of Magellan
While anchored in the Philippines, the crewmen converted many natives to the religion of Christianity. However, these conversions led to more problems than one would expect. When Magellan attempted to intimidate a chief of a nearby island named Mactan to Christianity, he became angered. This chief wanted no part in the spread of Christianity, but Magellan, ignoring the advice of his fellow officers, continued to press the subject upon the man. The chief recoiled, ordering his warriors to attack Magellan and his crew. Most of Magellan's men retreated to the safety of the ships while Magellan slowly backed off toward safety. Sprouting full body armor, save for his feet, Magellan felt confident that he was safe from the spears of the native warriors. He thought wrong, and a warrior drove a spear through Magellan's foot, wounding him. The other warriors attacked, killing him on the 27th of April, year 1521.
In the absence of their leader, Juan Sebastian Del Cano, a man who supported the mutiny aboard the ship near South America, took control as captain of the ships and pressed to return home. During this phase of the expedition, only two ships and 47 men remained. The December of 1521, the Trinidad was sunken by the Portuguese, leaving the Victoria as the last ship of the fleet. Relentless storms, inimical currents, and Portuguese attack diminished some of the remaining crew. They stayed as far away from the Cape of Good Hope as they could, for they feared dispute. The Victoria encircled Africa and sailed towards Europe. Dwindling inventory caused an unexpected anchoring in Cape Verde Islands. The Portuguese heard rumor that the Spaniards were trading within the walls of their influence, and they sought after every man who walked upon their land and captured them. Del Cano was forced into leaving without the needed supplies and with barely enough crewmen to sail the ship. Finally, on the 8th of September, 1522, the Victoria, carried 18 survivors, degraded from crewmen, into the port of Seville, Spain. The First Circumnavigation of the Globe was carried out.
In the absence of their leader, Juan Sebastian Del Cano, a man who supported the mutiny aboard the ship near South America, took control as captain of the ships and pressed to return home. During this phase of the expedition, only two ships and 47 men remained. The December of 1521, the Trinidad was sunken by the Portuguese, leaving the Victoria as the last ship of the fleet. Relentless storms, inimical currents, and Portuguese attack diminished some of the remaining crew. They stayed as far away from the Cape of Good Hope as they could, for they feared dispute. The Victoria encircled Africa and sailed towards Europe. Dwindling inventory caused an unexpected anchoring in Cape Verde Islands. The Portuguese heard rumor that the Spaniards were trading within the walls of their influence, and they sought after every man who walked upon their land and captured them. Del Cano was forced into leaving without the needed supplies and with barely enough crewmen to sail the ship. Finally, on the 8th of September, 1522, the Victoria, carried 18 survivors, degraded from crewmen, into the port of Seville, Spain. The First Circumnavigation of the Globe was carried out.