Ferdinand Magellan the Explorer for Kids ***

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 3:

In 1505, Ferdinand Magellan enlisted in the fleet of the viceroy of the Portuguese Indies, and took part in several battles and expeditions in India and Africa.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 4:

In 1511, Ferdinand Magellan took part in the conquest of Malacca, on the Malay Peninsula, after which he gained a promotion.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 5:

Ferdinand Magellan returned to Portugal in 1512 then, in 1513, went on an expedition to Morocco. While in Morocco he sustained a wound that left him with a permanent limp.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 6:

Following constant requests from Magellan, to King Manuel I, to head an expedition to the Moluccas by sailing west, the two fell out. Ferdinand Magellan then left for Spain.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 7:

While in Spain, Ferdinand Magellan married the daughter of his friend Diogo Barbosa, and had two children, both of whom died while young. His wife also died around 1521.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 8:

Ferdinand Magellan teamed up with Rui Faleiro, a cosmographer. Studying the most recent charts, he began investigating a gateway from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Pacific.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 9:

Ferdinand Magellan and Faleiro approached King Charles I of Spain with their idea. As the Portuguese had reserved the eastern routes to the Moluccas, the Spanish King seized this opportunity to approach the Moluccas without upsetting them, and on 22nd March 1518 the King pronounced Ferdinand Magellan and Faleiro as captains to undertake the expedition.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 10:

Ferdinand Magellan set sail to cross the Atlantic Ocean in September 1519. His fleet consisted of five ships, the Trinidad, the San Antonio, the Concepcion, the Santiago and the Victoria. The Portuguese King, Manuel I, sent some of his navy to intercept Magellan, however he managed to avoid them.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 11:

He sailed to the Canary Islands and Cape Verde before heading for South America. Ferdinand Magellan reached South America and, after resupplying, headed south reaching Rio de la Plata in January 1520. He decided to stay there over the winter and set up a temporary settlement called Puerto San Julian.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 12:

During April 1520, three of the captains were involved in a mutiny. Ferdinand Magellan acted quickly to stem the problem. The captain of the Victoria, Luis de Mendoza was killed by Ferdinand Magellan’s men and the ship recovered. They also cut the Concepcion’s anchor cable, resulting in the ship drifting towards the Trinidad, Magellan’s ship, and captain Gaspar Quesada and his crew surrendered. Then Juan de Cartegena, captain of the San Antonio, also surrendered.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 15:

On 21st October 1520, Ferdinand Magellan reached Cape Virgenes on the coast of modern day Argentina. The fleet began to make its way through what is now known as the Strait of Magellan on November 1, 1520. He sent the San Antonio and the Concepcion ahead to explore the Strait, however, the San Antonio deserted the fleet and set sail for Spain.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 16:

The remaining three ships sailed into the South Pacific on 28th November 1520. Ferdinand Magellan gave it the name 'Pacifico' (Pacific) because it was so calm with gentle winds.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 17:

On the 6th March, following a journey with no fresh provisions and little water, Ferdinand Magellan reached Guam. He stopped there to refit the ships and take on fresh supplies. Leaving Guam on the 9th March 1521, He reached, what would become known as, the Philippines a week later.

Ferdinand Magellan Fact 18:

On 7th April 1521 Ferdinand Magellan met with the King of Cebu, Rajah Hamabon, who claimed to be Christian, and befriended him. Rajah Hamabon convinced Ferdinand Magellan to conquer the neighbouring island of Mactan for him, in the name of Catholicism.