Loaisa Expedition to the Philippines(1525-1526)

Summary

The Losa expedition, launched in 1525, aimed to rescue Magellan's lost ship, Trinidad, and colonize the Spice Islands. With seven vessels and 450 men, including tradesmen and administrators, they faced numerous challenges, including shipwrecks, desertions, and leadership losses to scurvy. The fleet, reduced to one ship, continued to the Philippines and the Molokas, with only 25 men surviving to reach the Spice Islands in 1536, completing the second circumnavigation in history under Portuguese guard.

Takeaways

• 🏴‍☠️ The expedition was initially a rescue mission for the Trinidad, a sister ship to the Victoria from Magellan's expedition.
• 🛳️ The Victoria returned to Spain in 1522, prompting the search for the missing Trinidad.
• 📜 The mission included a secondary goal of colonizing the Spice Islands, with seven vessels and 450 men assigned for the task.
• 🗺️ The expedition set sail from Coruna in 1525, with the aim of following the expected return route of the Trinidad.
• 👑 Losa was named captain, alongside Juan Sebastian Elcano, who had previously reached the Spice Islands in 1521.
• 🌊 The fleet navigated southwest to the Canary Islands, then south along the African coast, and west across the Atlantic to Brazil.
• 🌬️ Poor weather conditions led to the loss of two ships and the desertion of one, reducing the fleet to four vessels by May 1526.
• 🌧️ After passing through the Strait of Magellan, the remaining ships lost contact with each other in heavy rain.
• 💔 Captain Losa died of scurvy in July 1526, followed by Elcano and later Alonso de Salazar, all succumbing to the same disease.
• 🚣‍♂️ The expedition faced further setbacks with food poisoning and desertion, leaving only a handful of survivors.
• 🏝️ The survivors, under the command of Martin iniguez de Carquizano, reached the Philippines and the Molokas, but continued to suffer losses.
• 🔄 The final survivors returned to Spain in 1536, completing the second circumnavigation of the world under Portuguese guard.

Q & A

What was the primary purpose of the Loa expedition?

The Loa expedition was conceived as both a rescue mission to find the fate of the Trinidad, and a voyage of discovery to locate and colonize Magellan's Spice Islands.

How many vessels and men were assigned to the expedition led by Loa?

Loa was assigned seven vessels and a total of 450 men, including tradesmen and administrators, for the Spice Islands settlement.

On what date did the Loa expedition set sail from Coruna?

The expedition set sail from Coruna on July 24, 1525.

Who was named as captain alongside Loa during the expedition?

Juan Sebastian Elcano, who had reached the Spice Islands in 1521 during the Magellan expedition, was named captain alongside Loa.

What was the initial direction of the fleet's journey after setting sail?

The fleet initially headed southwest to the Canary Islands and then south along the African coastline.

When did the fleet reach the Patagonian shore in South America?

The fleet reached the Patagonian shore in January 1526.

Why did Loa decide to abandon the search for the Trinidad?

Loa decided to abandon the search for the Trinidad due to poor weather conditions and no sign of the ship.

What happened to the fleet while trying to enter the Strait of Magellan?

In high winds, two ships were wrecked, and one tacked into the Atlantic and deserted the expedition.

How many ships were left after passing through the Strait of Magellan and entering the Pacific?

After passing through the Strait of Magellan, only four ships entered the Pacific.

What was the cause of death for Loa and Elcano during the expedition?

Loa and Elcano both died of scurvy during the expedition.

Who completed the second world circumnavigation in history and when did they return to Spain?

Alonso de Salazar, who took command after the deaths of Loa and Elcano, completed the second world circumnavigation in history and returned to Spain in 1536.