But I applaud your diligence in taking up the cause … accuracy is indeed important.

The Spanish expedition that successfully rounded the globe in 1522 did not have Magellan on board when the sole ship that made it, Victoria, reached Sevilla in September 1522. Magellan had died at Mactan, the Philippines in April 1521.

So Magellan had not circumnavigated, i.e., sailed from one longitude, 5°58? W at Seville, Spain, and returned to the same after sailing around the world.
The notion Magellan was first to go around the globe is based on the belief he had gone to the island of Ambon at 128° E in 1511 as captain of one nao in a reconnoitering expedition under the leadership of Capt. Antonio d’Abreu. This assertion, made separately by Peter Martyr, Giovanni Battista Ramusio, and Leonardo de Argensola has no factual support.

Official record of the Portuguese show it was another seaman, Simao de Bisagudo, who was the third captain. The second captain, the record show, was Magellan’s friend, Francisco Serrao.

Had Magellan been on this trip, when he reached Mactan, the Philippines at 124° E longitude in April 7, 1522, he would have overlapped Ambon by 4 degrees of longitude.

Thus, the notion of Magellan’s having circumnavigated the globe is based on a false claim, or to put it more diplomatically, on a claim that is without factual support.

Thus the claim of Alexis Kenne that Magellan is the first circumnavigator is false. Or, not true. Or, without basis in fact.

Whichever, it should be excised so the article does not begin with an untruth which colors the rest of the article’s claims.

Or Kenne can reword the issue in this way: The first circumnavigation was envisioned by Ferdinand Magellan. Or, the first rounding of the world was an idea visualized, planned, and executed by Ferdinand Magellan.

In any case, this comment challenges the veracity of the claim that introduces the whole article.

VICENTE CALIBO DE JESUS
ginesdemafra@gmail.com

I would think it would be, Bill, but the normal practice is they only make platbacks available to the folks who register. I’d suggest you just follow the registration link and ask the folks running the show, they are the ones who can answer. I have no cash or affiliate interest in the program, just thought it would be something of interest to many of my readers. Be well, and thanks for reading/commenting.

Thanks.