Magellan and his Voyage of Discovery - Part 4

Magellan's entire crew - on all three remaining ships - were devastated by hunger, thirst and foreboding.  Their food and water were contaminated, and the men were reduced to eating rats.  Still they sailed into the unknown ... until they finally saw land.

Despite inaccurate maps, Magellan had led his ships to the place we know as the Philippines.  These lush lands must have seemed like a paradise to the sailors, and Magellan claimed them for Spain.  It was the beginning of colonization.

Then ... Magellan made a fateful decision.  He decided to take sides in a battle between local chiefs, opposing a leader who had refused both Christianity and submission to Spanish rule.

Grossly outnumbered, Magellan thought he and his men would prevail because they had superior weapons.  Covered with armor, except for his feet, Magellan was wounded in the foot by a spear.  The downed leader was slaughtered, his body never recovered.

Magellan had nearly reached his goal - the Spice Islands - but his crew decided to continue the journey without him.  Led by Juan Sebastian Elcano (also known as Juan Sebastian Del Cano), they reached the lush volcanic islands soon after their leader had perished.

See, also:

Magellan and his Voyage of Discovery - Part 1

Magellan and his Voyage of Discovery - Part 2

Magellan and his Voyage of Discovery - Part 3

Magellan and his Voyage of Discovery - Part 5

Credits

Clip from "Voyages of Discovery:  Circumnavigation," produced for the BBC.

Paul Rose (former ten-year base commander of the British Rothera research station in Antarctica) presents the unimaginable story of Ferdinand Magellan and his crew (as they attempt to find a westward passage to the Spice Islands), in "Voyages of Discovery - Circumnavigation." 

Directed by Sean Smith; written by Chris Bould.

Clip online, courtesy BBC.