Captain Of Magellan Ship example essay topic

Magellan, Ferdinand Most fearsome of all, the man who would destroy the very world the cartographers had drowned. In his time, by his compatriot and his own king, they treated him as renegade and transf uga, but now in Lisbon they proudly say "his ours". One, or certainly most important explorer in history, was a faithful man trough which modesty arose. Fact that his Spanish sponsors never shared his sense of mission he found reason for them, like putting boundaries, but he really wanted to circumnavigate globe going westward.

Compared to Columbus's voyage of 8000 miles, Magellan's was 42000 miles and 22000 of it in unknown waters. That was achievement without parallel. Only few voyages have been fulfilled with so much intrigue, treachery, murder, mutiny, starvation and death in history of sailing, only one out of fleet of five ships managed to complete journey only 16 man out of 265 of them. If there were not of clandestine diary kept by Antonio Pigafetta, Venetian nobleman, the record and appreciations would be quite different. Mutineers, deserters and jealous officers that were eager to usurp Magellan's would have won if the diarist Pigafetta didn't survived all mayhem and stayed within survivors to tell the truth about Magellan's achievement. From the time when Columbus had his voyage, Magellan had visions about his own voyage someday.

Under the Portuguese viceroy in India, he learned seamanship and naval warfare. Hi took part in 1509 battle of Die witch gave Portugese supremacy over Ind. ocean. During all of his naval assignments, Magellan had only one dream: to sail around the world by going west of Europe. Because his personal dislike ment with Portuguese king Dom Miguel help for his adventure did not came from his native nation, he got help from king of Spain. King Charles of Spain approved to Magellan his voyage to mark boundaries of Spain in pacific. Magellan's fleet consisted from five ships (San Antonio, Santiago, Trinidad, Victoria and Conception, that counted 280 sailors, and numerous supplies.

Magellan's troubles began before he sailed out. King of Portugal agents lead empty barrels of water and change invoice to show twice a time as much of supplies on boards. Luckily, he stopped on Canary Irelands so Magellan was warned of conspiracy. Three month after sailing out from Spain Magellan came to bay where today lies Rio de Janeiro. It was one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world.

Gourami Indians shattered crew with everything, even their women. At Cape Santa Maria Magellan though that they found passage to Orient, so Trinidad sailed as west as possible. After few days, Trinidad returned with discouraging news. Should they return to Rio or continue going south toward stormy Antarctic waters and hope to find passage to Spice Irelands. Against big opposition within crew, Magellan convinced them to sail south. After 60 days of storm and cold weather, crew was disgruntled, and ready for mutiny.

When they finally stopped in a bay St. Julian, a group demanded to sail back, but Magellan refused and his own crew on Trinidad and Santiago remained loyal. Rebellion took control over three of five ships 170 of 265 men, so odds of Magellan succeeding were low, but he did not though on quitting and surrendering command. Magellan sailors caught one of the leaders of mutiny captain Mendoza, and then he took over first Victoria, then San Antonio and Conception was easily taken over. Magellan did not want Spanish nobleman killed by his hand so he offered pardon to Mendoza servant if he would execute his master. Mendoza was executed; one priest and two other leaders of rebellion were left to survive on coastland. Santiago was sent to explore further south, but he hit the shore and wrecked.

Two men were sent to get help, after few days rest of the fleet rescued Santiago's crew. They stayed on the site for 2 month getting seals and storing them for journey ahead. Magellan lost two more ships (San Antonio and Conception) in storm. After storm was over he found Conception but San Antonio was lost and probably on his way back to Spain. That did not discourage Magellan and even without his biggest ship he decided to continue his voyage. After 90 days of sailing without enough food and water (19 crewmembers died) finally they reached Philippines.

This was end of Magellan voyage. Why? Many natives have converted on Christianity because Magellan instruction, and when one chief refused to do so Magellan felt obligated to make them. Sixty men fought some 3000 natives. Magellan was wounded and when he ordered retreat, it was too late for them. Magellan was killed so close on reaching his dream.

Only 115 men were left and it was impossible to sail three ships so they scuttled Conception. All papers, logs, diaries and letters were put aboard by jealous captains and fire was set to destroy every evidence of their treachery and mutiny. However, Pigafetta kept writing his own diary. At Moluccas, two ships were loaded with 26 ton of spices, but Trinidad would never see European waters again.

Captain of Magellan ship was Gomez de Espinoza his leading man in suppressing mutiny. Trinidad was pursued by Portuguese fleet who heard of Magellan but not his death so they wanted to arrest him. They cached Trinidad in Ternate and killed only one Portuguese sailor on board Trinidad for deserting, this destined for Magellan. Rest of crew was left in Molucca, only 4 of them made back to Europe. Victoria whose captain Juan Sebastian Del Cana one of the leaders of mutiny and his pilot Francisco Alba sailed homeward. They completed Magellan expedition by sailing in familiar waters but with big treats from Portuguese.

When they reached Spain, only 18 Europeans of 265 were there. San Antonio came earlier because mutineers overthrow Alvaro de Mesquita and returned to Spain with there own story. Mesquita was thrown to the jail, but now king released him with reparations, but further investigation was never conducted. Cano was hero, and he was well known noble Spaniard and Magellan were dead Portuguese. Magellan character was imperfect, his misjudgment on Mac tan was unworthy of him, but fact is only few man played so big price for their lapses.

Not that he lost his life, he lost recognition for biggest achievement in his time. Magellan made new rules, which had great impact in economy, thought, and in proving his theories. Pigafetta wrote:" In the midst of the sea, he was able to endure hunger better than we were. Most versed in nautical charts, he knew better that any other the true art of navigation, of which it is certain proof that he by his genius, and his intrepidity, without anyone giving him example, how to attempt the circuit of the globe which he had almost completed... The glory and achievement of Magellan will survive him.".