20180303 Magellan Thread
497 years ago, on this day the Magellan expedition is engaged in a three month voyage on the Pacific Ocean. This voyage will test the courage and stamina of the crew, and a number of crewmen will die due to scurvy, although lack of adequate food was the root problem.
Per Reference #1, page lxi
Begin Quotation:
28 November 1520: The fleet, consisting of Trinidad, Concepcion, and Victoria pass Cabo Pilar (which Magellan names Desaedo) on Desolation Island, and enters the Pacific Ocean: 'Wednesday, 28 November 1520, we debouched from that Strait, engulfing ourselves in the Pacific Sea'
End Quotation.
The quotation above is from the record given by Antonio Pigafetta.
In Reference #10, on page 80, Nancy Levinson reports:
Begin Quotation:
The fleet steered north along the coast and then headed westward into the open sea, with agreeable winds at their back.
End Quotation.
Per Reference #1, page lxi
Begin Quotation:
6 March 1521: The fleet sights the Islas de Ladrones or Las Islas de Velas Latinas, identified as Guam and Rota of the Marianas.
End Quotation.
Weather.com provided this report for Guam on March 7th, 2018: Temperature 87 degrees Fahrenheit, and winds of 12 miles per hour
Weather.com provided this report for Rota on March 7th, 2018: Temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and winds of 12 miles per hour
On page 81, Ms. Levinson provides a map, “Magellan's route across the Pacific Ocean.” from North Wind Picture Archives.
This post is for March 3rd. The map shows an entry for March 1st, just East and South of Guam.
On page 84, Ms. Levinson reports on events of March 6, 1521:
Begin Quotation:
Then, on the morning of March 6, 1521, a ship's boy on lookout duty shouted that he saw dim light. Soon afterwards he sighted rising peaks of two islands.
End Quotation.
Google Earth provides a view of Guam at 13 degrees 43 minutes 01.37 seconds North and 144 degrees 23 minutes 59.46 seconds East
The new picture display system is in effect, and visitors to Guam have posted at least 8 pictures. There is at least one 360 degree panorama.
This one is of the Guam Hilton Hotel.
Per http://www.calculator.net
Date Difference: November 28, 1520 – March 6, 1521
0 years 3 months 6 days
or 3 months 6 days
or 14 weeks 0 days
or 98 days
(th)