The journey of Ferdinand Magellan's fleet around the globe stands as one of history's most remarkable maritime achievements, though it came at a devastating human cost. In September 1522, the Victoria, captained by Juan Sebastian Elcano, returned to Spain with only 18 survivors from the original crew of 270 sailors. The expedition, which began in 1519, faced numerous challenges including harsh weather conditions, mutiny, illness, and complex interactions with indigenous peoples encountered along their route.

Among the various accounts documented by expedition chronicler Antonio Pigafetta, perhaps none are as intriguing as the descriptions of the Patagonian natives. During their winter stopover in March 1520, the crew reportedly encountered individuals of extraordinary stature, described by Pigafetta as "almost giants." These encounters occurred alongside other remarkable observations, including diverse wildlife species and interactions with tribes in present-day Brazil, where European visitors were initially welcomed with hospitality, despite cultural practices that seemed alien and disturbing to the European sailors.

Key Takeaways

Magellan's circumnavigation succeeded at tremendous cost, with only one ship and 18 of 270 sailors completing the journey.
Strange natural phenomena and encounters with unfamiliar wildlife marked the expedition's Atlantic crossing.
Interactions with indigenous peoples revealed diverse cultures, including tribes described as having giants among them.

Historical Background

First Global Voyage Completion (1522)

On September 1522, Juan Sebastian Elcano guided the ship Victoria into the harbor of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain. This momentous arrival marked the completion of the first circumnavigation of the globe. The vessel arrived in poor condition after its lengthy journey, carrying just 18 survivors from the original crew of 270 sailors. This remarkable achievement came at an extraordinary human cost, including the lives of Victoria's original captain Luis Mendoza and the expedition's leader Ferdinand Magellan. Of the five ships that departed three years earlier, only the Victoria completed the full journey.

Most of what we know about this historic voyage comes from Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian nobleman who served as the expedition's chronicler. His detailed accounts document the journey's numerous hardships and unusual encounters.

The Devastating Human Toll

The first global circumnavigation exacted a staggering price in human lives. Of the 270 men who embarked on the journey in 1519, only 18 returned with Elcano in 1522—a survival rate of less than 7%.

The expedition faced numerous deadly challenges:

Severe weather conditions and treacherous seas
Outbreaks of disease and malnutrition
Conflicts with indigenous peoples
Internal tensions and mutiny

These factors combined to make the journey one of the deadliest explorations in maritime history. The men who survived endured unspeakable hardships, including periods of extreme hunger, hostile encounters, and the psychological toll of witnessing the deaths of most of their companions.

Magellan's Vision and Planning

Ferdinand Magellan's expedition originated from his conviction that a western route to Asia could be found by navigating around South America. This ambitious plan aimed to accomplish what Columbus had failed to achieve nearly three decades earlier—finding a practical western passage to the valuable spice islands of Asia.

Magellan meticulously planned the voyage, selecting five ships and assembling a crew of 270 men. He understood the immense challenges ahead but believed the potential rewards justified the risks. The expedition's goals were twofold: to discover new trade routes and to expand Spanish influence in newly discovered territories.

From Portuguese Rejection to Spanish Support

Magellan initially presented his proposal to King Manuel I of Portugal, his homeland. Despite Magellan's experience as a navigator, the Portuguese monarch rejected his plan, likely viewing it as too risky or potentially beneficial to rival powers.

Following this rejection, Magellan took his proposal to King Charles I of Spain, who recognized the strategic advantage such a discovery would provide against Portugal. The Spanish monarch eagerly supported the expedition, providing ships, supplies, and royal authority.

This transition from Portuguese rejection to Spanish acceptance created tension within the expedition. Pigafetta noted that the Spanish captains serving under Magellan "hated him exceedingly," primarily because he was Portuguese commanding Spanish ships. This underlying conflict would later contribute to mutiny attempts that threatened the entire mission.

The Expedition's Journey

The Fleet's Initial Departure and Early Obstacles

Magellan's fleet departed from San Lucar on September 20, 1519, with an initial supply stop at Tenerife in the Canaries on September 26. The expedition formally began its ocean crossing on October 3, sailing past the islands of Cabo Verde as they navigated down the African coastline. The journey had begun under strained circumstances, with significant tension between Magellan, a Portuguese captain, and his Spanish officers. As Antonio Pigafetta, the Italian chronicler of the expedition noted, the Spanish captains harbored deep resentment toward Magellan, though the exact reasons remained unclear to him. Before setting sail, Magellan had initially sought support from his own sovereign, King Manuel I of Portugal, but after facing rejection, took his proposal to King Charles I of Spain, who eagerly supported the potential advantage over his Portuguese rival.

Adverse Weather and Treacherous Navigation

The fleet soon encountered brutal weather conditions that severely tested both ships and crews. For approximately 60 days, relentless rain prevented proper navigation while violent storms and dangerous currents threatened to destroy the vessels. The sailors faced truly dire circumstances as they struggled to maintain course through the tempestuous seas. During this period, the expedition encountered fascinating marine life, including sharks which they attempted to eat despite finding them largely unpalatable. The chronicler also documented several unusual bird species, including one that allegedly had no anus and another that supposedly laid eggs on the male's back for hatching. A particularly interesting avian species called the "cacela" was observed pursuing other birds until they regurgitated their food, which it would then seize—possibly describing either the Magnificent frigate bird or the parasitic jaeger.

Encounter with St. Elmo's Fire

The sailors' primary source of hope during the devastating storms came in the form of St. Elmo's Fire, which appeared atop their masts. This luminous phenomenon was interpreted as a divine sign that God had not abandoned them to perish at sea. However, Pigafetta recorded a particularly intense manifestation of this phenomenon that left the crew temporarily blinded. "When that blessed light was about to leave us," he wrote, "the brightness was so dazzling that it cast into our eyes a glare that left us all blinded for more than an eighth of an hour, calling out for mercy." After this extraordinary event, the seas miraculously calmed, allowing the expedition to continue its voyage without further catastrophe. This experience deeply affected the crew, reinforcing their belief in divine protection even as they sailed into increasingly unknown waters toward the coasts of South America.

Wildlife Encounters

Shark Consumption Experience

During our ocean journey, we attempted to consume shark meat, finding it largely unpalatable. The crew discovered that smaller sharks were marginally more edible than larger specimens, though even these were described as "not very good." This culinary experiment proved mostly unsuccessful, with the consensus being that sharks made for poor provisions despite their abundance in certain waters we traversed.

Notable Bird Species

Several remarkable avian species were observed throughout our voyage. Three birds particularly caught our attention due to their unusual characteristics:

Unusual Anatomy Bird - A species described as having no anus
Sea-Dwelling Breeder - A bird with no feet that permanently resides in the ocean, where females lay eggs on the males' backs for hatching
Food-Stealing Hunter - Identified as the "kasela," this bird follows others until they regurgitate their stomach contents, which it then seizes as its own meal

This third bird may have been the Magnificent frigate bird found near West African coasts, though some scholars suggest it could be the parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus). These avian observations provided fascinating diversions during the challenging sea voyage, offering the crew glimpses of nature's remarkable adaptations in remote maritime environments.

First Contact with Brazilian Territory

Arrival in Rio de Janeiro

In March 1520, Magellan's fleet made landfall on the Brazilian coast at approximately 23.5 degrees south latitude, near present-day Rio de Janeiro. The crew, having endured treacherous weather conditions during their Atlantic crossing, welcomed the opportunity to rest and replenish supplies. For nearly two weeks, the sailors remained in this location, establishing cordial relations with the indigenous population. The locals demonstrated hospitality toward the European visitors, even constructing accommodations for them under the impression they planned an extended stay.

Characteristics of Indigenous People and Their Practices

The expedition members observed that the Brazilian inhabitants lived in a manner quite different from Europeans. They wore no clothing and resided in large communal structures. Their society functioned without formal religious structures, with the chronicler noting they lived "according to nature." Despite their lack of metal tools—possessing only those obtained through trade with previous European contacts—the sailors considered the territory remarkably abundant. According to their observations, the land surpassed Spain, France, and Italy combined in terms of size and natural wealth.

Exceptional Longevity Claims

The crew documented remarkable claims regarding the lifespan of the indigenous population. According to their accounts, many locals regularly reached ages of 120 years, with some reportedly living to 140 years. While such assertions might seem extraordinary by modern standards, these observations were recorded with conviction by the expedition's chronicler. The sailors appeared genuinely impressed by the apparent health and vitality of the older inhabitants they encountered.

Cannibalistic Practices as Retribution

The Europeans were particularly disturbed to learn about ritualistic cannibalism practiced among some tribes. This custom, according to information gathered from the ship's pilot, originated from a specific incident involving a grieving mother. When her son was killed, the woman allegedly bit his murderer on the shoulder in anger. The perpetrator escaped and told his people about the attempt to "eat him," displaying the bite marks as evidence. Following this incident, consuming enemies became established as a form of retribution. The practice was not conducted for nourishment but evolved into a customary response to conflict. The locals maintained friendly relations with the European visitors throughout their stay, even providing them with significant quantities of valuable Brazil wood upon their departure.

Further Interactions and Safety Protocols

Meeting the Indigenous Chua People

The expedition encountered the Chua tribe at approximately 34.5 degrees toward the Antarctic Pole, near a significant freshwater river. Unlike their previous relatively positive interactions with coastal communities, the crew approached these natives with considerable caution. Their wariness was well-founded, as this location had a dark history for European explorers.

The Chua sent a representative to Magellan's flagship Trinidad, a substantial three-masted carack weighing 100 tons. While the native envoy appeared impressed by the vessel's dimensions, the sailors were equally struck by the envoy's physical stature. According to accounts, this individual possessed "a voice like a bull" and was described as being "almost a giant" in size.

The Tragic Precedent of Juan Des Solis

The crew's cautious approach to the Chua was influenced by historical events that occurred merely four years before their arrival. In 1516, a previous Spanish expedition led by Juan Des Solis had made landfall at this same river location with devastating consequences.

Des Solis and his men reportedly displayed "too great confidence" when engaging with the local population. This fatal mistake resulted in the explorers being killed and, according to accounts, consumed by the Chua tribe. This tragic incident remained fresh in the minds of Magellan's crew, serving as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers of first contact situations.

Initial Observations of Patagonian Giants

The encounter with the large-statured envoy from the Chua marked the expedition's first documentation of what would later become famous tales of Patagonian giants. Though detailed measurements weren't recorded for this particular individual, his remarkable size made a significant impression on the chroniclers.

This initial observation would eventually develop into more elaborate accounts of giant peoples inhabiting the Patagonian region. The reports of these uncommonly large individuals became one of the most enduring and peculiar elements of the expedition's narrative, capturing European imagination for generations to follow.

The sailors' observations about the size of local inhabitants would continue throughout their journey along the Patagonian coast, contributing to a persistent belief in European circles that entire tribes of giants populated these remote southern territories.

Tales of Giants

Supposed Sightings along the Patagonian Coasts

During the famous circumnavigation of Ferdinand Magellan's fleet, one remarkable account captured the imagination of many who later heard the story. Antonio Pigafetta, the Italian nobleman who chronicled the expedition, documented encounters with people of extraordinary stature along the coasts of what is now known as Patagonia.

In March 1520, as winter approached in the Southern Hemisphere, Magellan's fleet sought shelter while dealing with mounting tensions among the crew. The fleet had already endured tremendous hardships crossing the Atlantic, including 60 days of rainfall and terrifying storms where their only comfort came from St. Elmo's Fire appearing atop their masts.

After making landfall in Brazil (which Pigafetta called "the land of Verin"), the expedition continued southward. Upon reaching a region at approximately 34½ degrees south latitude, they encountered indigenous peoples who made a striking impression. Pigafetta specifically noted that one man "in stature almost a giant" approached their flagship Trinidad. This native messenger possessed "a voice like a bull," though Pigafetta didn't record the man's exact measurements.

This encounter represented one of the earliest European descriptions of what would later lead to tales of giant tribes inhabiting the Patagonian region. Such accounts would influence European perceptions of South America for centuries to come.

The meeting occurred during a tense period, as the Europeans were already cautious after learning that another Spanish expedition under Juan de Solís had met a tragic end in the same region just four years earlier in 1516. The fleet's wariness stemmed not only from stories of cannibalism but now from the imposing physical presence of these coastal inhabitants.

How Patagonia Got Its Name: The Giants Who Met Magellan's Expedition