Juan Sebastián Elcano

Juan Sebastián de Elcano was the firts navigator whose expedition completed the circumnavigation of the globe. He had been born in the Basque town of Guetaria in 1476 and died of scurvy in the Pacific Ocean in 1526.

Having participated in Cardinal Cisneros’ campaign that resulted in the conquest of Oran, he took up residence in Seville, where in 1519 he joined the expedition being organised by the Portuguese explorer Fernando de Magallanes. Equipped with five ships, its aim was to sail west and find a route around southern America to reach the Spice Islands.

The fleet discovered what is now the Strait of Magallanes and, enduring much hardship, was the first to cross the Pacific Ocean.

Magallanes was killed in the Philippines in an attack on a native settlement and Elcano took over command of the last remaining ship, the Victoria. Reaching the Moluccas in late 1521, he sailed across the Indian Ocean and finally reached the Atlantic.

After almost three years and having covered a distance of 14,000 leagues, the ship reached Sanlúcar de Barrameda on September 6th 1522 and Seville two days later.

Although the Victoria arrived laden with spices, the expedition’s original crew of 285 had been reduced to 18 famished and weakened seamen.

The Spanish navigator thus completed the first historically documented circumnavigation of the globe.

The Emperor Carlos V received the survivors at Valladolid, rewarding Juan Sebastián Elcano with an annuity of 500 gold ducats and granting him a crest depicting a globe with the motto Primus circumdedisti me (‘You were the first to circumnavigate me’).

In the present day the Spanish Navy’s training vessel is named after him, thus honouring his leading role in epic voyage.

Here are some videos about this journey. This one is more focused on Magallanes. 

Second part:

Third part:

Last one!

Here are some links:

Biography

The Journey

More info