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Thinking back

As we sailed so calmly through the Straits of Magellan this morning, loving our first day on our beautiful bark, remember Ferdinand Magellan who sailed from Spain in September 1519 with instructions to find a western route to the Indies.

As we sailed so calmly through the Straits of Magellan this morning, loving our first day on our beautiful bark, remember Ferdinand Magellan who sailed from Spain in September 1519 with instructions to find a western route to the Indies.
He seemed to have known about the Strait's existence. Magellan's account of his voyage describes it thus: "This strait was a circular place surrounded by mountains, and to most of those in our ships (there were 5 ships in his fleet) it seemed as if there was no way out to enter the Pacific Sea. But my captain-general said there was another strait which led out, saying he knew it well and had seen it in a marine chart from a great sailor called Martin of Bohemia, kept by the king of Portugal."
Magellan sailed through to the Pacific in some terrifying weather. He continued across the Pacific but was killed in 1521 on Mactan island by Phillipino natives. His ship Victoria eventually made it back to Spain exactly 3 years later, September 1522, with a threadbare broken crew, this completing the first navigation of the World. What a story!
Birds seen by 10am today: Black browed albatross, Magellanic penguins, white chinned Petrel, Antarctic tern and a few others that defeated this amateur.

 

Written by:
Bob | Guide / Ships doctor

7

Comments

Thanks Bob. Most envious as I look across False Bay to Rooiels. Moderate south easter but water temp 22 deg.Hope you get some "propper" weather soon. 03


sydney cullis  |  01-01-2016 09:41 uur

Vanuit mijn luie stoel wens ik iedereen een gezond en reislustig 2016. Behouden vaart.


Jan van Leeuwen  |  01-01-2016 01:26 uur

Tell us about "anchovies" in 2016. Swimming is good 19 to 21C, lovely big family feasts, Alison's birthday brunch today for 18. Missing the energy and swimming wake up calls but Cal in good form and Gilly loving the time here. Arina a new star. Fair sailing boet we talk much of you xx


Gus  |  30-12-2015 18:55 uur

Be safe dear friend and enjoy!


Dee and Paul  |  28-12-2015 16:06 uur

Good on those natives resisting colonisation! Keep up the excellent birding good Doctor. Love from the deck at Rooi Els.


Bruce  |  28-12-2015 08:29 uur

Bob, what an amazing trip, life time experience. Have an amazing time and a great new year!!!! All the best Steve


Steve Smith  |  27-12-2015 19:00 uur

When "Victotia", the only left-over of Magellan's fleet, returned to Spain with 18 seamen (from 237) on SEP 1522 there was one day less in the logbook. They thought they made a fault. But it was not a fault: The date-line was discovered! I wisch you all a wounderful maritime Christmas. Kind regards Eckhard


Eckhard Dietrich, Frankfurt am Main, Germany  |  24-12-2015 14:54 uur

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