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eastern way to India had now been found, but it had not yet been proved
that India could be reached through the west. Another
Portuguese, Ferdinand Magellan, was the first man whose ship sailed all
round the world. When Vasco da Gama returned
from his second voyage to India, he met Magellan, and
the young man listened with great interest to his stories about the
East. Magellan wanted to see the wonderful Indies for
himself, and when a new Governer was sent out to India, Magellan asked
if he could go with him. He was about twenty-five
years old at this time, and he served in India for several years,
proving himself to be one of the breavest soldiers in the Portuguese
army. He returned to Portugal, determined to find a new and
shorter way to india by sailing westward. The long journey round the
Cape of
Good Hope took many months. Magellan asked then King of Portugal to let him have money and ships for the purpose, but the King refused
and Magellan went to Spain, as Columbus had done. The King of Spain listened to Magellan, and a few days later he agreed to let him have
five shuips and two hundred and fifty men.
At last the ships were ready to sail, and Magellan set out on the long voyage across the Atlantic. The great steamships of today can cross
the Atlantic Ocean in five days, but it took Magellan more than two months in his little wooden sailing ships. Sometimes they were blown
about by terrible storms. Sometimes there was no wind at all, and the little ships lay helplessly on the water, waiting for the good winds to blow them on their way again.
Magellan encountered many troubles and dangers along his journey from the sea and even from his own crews. But he didn't give up until
he managed to sail almost round the world. He had discovered the famous Magellan Strait, and crossed the Pacific Ocean, giving it its name.
But he died before achieving his great desire-to sail right round the world.
Magellan's crew had many adventures after his death, and only one ship, the Victoria, succeeded in returning to Spain. Almost three years after they had set out, the little ship came into the Spain town of Sanlucar. The Spanish people had long ago given up all Magellan's ships for lost, and they were filled with astonishment to hear that one of his ships had already sailed right round the world.
Good Hope took many months. Magellan asked then King of Portugal to let him have money and ships for the purpose, but the King refused
and Magellan went to Spain, as Columbus had done. The King of Spain listened to Magellan, and a few days later he agreed to let him have
five shuips and two hundred and fifty men.
At last the ships were ready to sail, and Magellan set out on the long voyage across the Atlantic. The great steamships of today can cross
the Atlantic Ocean in five days, but it took Magellan more than two months in his little wooden sailing ships. Sometimes they were blown
about by terrible storms. Sometimes there was no wind at all, and the little ships lay helplessly on the water, waiting for the good winds to blow them on their way again.
Magellan encountered many troubles and dangers along his journey from the sea and even from his own crews. But he didn't give up until
he managed to sail almost round the world. He had discovered the famous Magellan Strait, and crossed the Pacific Ocean, giving it its name.
But he died before achieving his great desire-to sail right round the world.
Magellan's crew had many adventures after his death, and only one ship, the Victoria, succeeded in returning to Spain. Almost three years after they had set out, the little ship came into the Spain town of Sanlucar. The Spanish people had long ago given up all Magellan's ships for lost, and they were filled with astonishment to hear that one of his ships had already sailed right round the world.