The first voyage around the world

In 1517 the Portuguese Fernand de Magalyash (Magellan) proposed to the Spanish king Charles I. an expedition to south-west across America to the Moluccas. This project aroused keen interest, because, if successful, Spain could claim rights to these rich Spice Islands. In August 1519 five ships of Magellan left Seville Harbor. Via the Canary Islands travelers headed to the Brazil and, having passed the Rio de la Plata, brought the ships to Patagonia in winter. In the spring, they finally found something that so hard to look for - the strait between Patagonia and the island of Tierra del Fuego, which is now called Magellan - and on it went out on the water surface of the ocean was so calm that they named it the Pacific. And then the journey began to acquire a dramatic turn. Three long months had to swim in the open sea without drinking water and provisions, which by then had come into disrepair. The sailors even hunted on the ship rat and bovine chewing the skin, from which it was made covering the sails. 21 people died from scurvy due to vitamin deficiency. Finally they reached the islands now known as the Philippines, and were able to stock up on fresh produce. It was possible to sail on to the Moluccas, but Magellan set out with instructions and exhortations to the Islanders and was killed. Only one of its ships - the "Victoria" - returned three years later in Spain with the surviving crew members led by Juan Sebastian El Cano. They were greeted with triumph as the first participants in the world circumnavigation. The expedition, which initially led by Magellan and El Cano continued finally dispelled doubts that the Earth is spherical. It is considered the first trip around the world. El Cano was given coat of arms with the inscription "The first went around me, and also granted an annual pension of 500 ducats. Was soon organized another expedition, during which Juan Sebastian El Cano did not return. Pacific became his tomb.