20180721 Magellan Thread
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Continuing with weekly update …This post is for July 21st
497 years ago, on this day Ferdinand Magellan is deceased. A massacre of officers and crew further reduced the complement of the expedition to 107. Only two ships remain of the original five. The remaining crew (apparently) remains motivated to find spices and return to Spain. They arrived at Brunei on July 9th.
Per Reference #1 on page lxii, for June 21st:
Begin Quotation:
21 June 1521: Victoria and Trinidad depart Palawan. They arrived at Brunei on the north-eastern coast of Borneo on 9 July.
End Quotation.
The quotation above is from the record given by Antonio Pigafetta, as summarized in the “Chronology of the Voyage”
Because this thread is following the expedition in “real time” (displaced by 497 years) it is my intention to continue following the crew as they struggled in the weeks and months ahead to secure the prize of spices for which they had sailed, and to return to Spain.
The next entry in the Chronology of the Voyage in Reference #1 is for July 29th of 1521. The expedition is still near Brunei, Borneo.
In Reference #10, on page 97, Nancy Smiler Levinson reports:
Begin Quotation:
Without Magellan's seafaring abilities, the two well-worn ships sailed aimlessly from island to island, with the men collecting what food they could. But they never found enough to stave off constant hunger. Since they were sailing in Portuguese territory, they were always in fear of being caught by the Portuguese sailors.
End Quotation.
Google Earth provides a contemporary glimpse of the area around Brunei. (Search for brunei borneo)
Rudyno HS provides an image with the title: Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Alif Azaman provides an image with the title: Lambak Kiri Secondary School
Shida Bohari provides an image of Tanjung Batu Beach. This scene is likely to be similar to the one observed 500 years ago.
DonDhieLee Tijarah Sdn Bhd provides another seascape view: Looking forward Sunset
Haley Joiner provides an image of a sunsite with the title: The Empire Country Club
Uli Schnakenberg provides an image of an inland scene which may show fresh water. Title: Lalak Lake National Park
Per Reference #12 on page 17: Part I Leaving the Earth – Section: Preparing for Liftoff
On pages 20 and 21, Dr. Kaku reviews the life and achievements of Konstantin Tsilokovsky.
Begin Quotation from Leaving the Earth on Page 21:
Although Tsiolkovsky was too poor to convert his mathematical equations into actual models, the next step was taken by Robert Goddard, who actually built the prototypes that would one day form the basis of space travel.
End Quotation
As a note of possible interest to readers of Dr. Dartnell's forum, member Cerean here is a member of the New Mars forum where he uses the name Terraformer.
In recent days, Terraformer has been participating in a discussion of what it will take to create and sustain a first tier “civilization” on Mars.
To find Terraformer's posts and the related topics, use the search tool on the New Mars forum web site, enter Author: Terraformer and select posts before [Submit]
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