The Saavedra Expedition to the Philippines

Summary

In 1527, Hernan Cortes launched an expedition under the command of his cousin, Alvaro de Saavedra, to find new lands and spices in the Pacific Ocean. After a series of voyages and setbacks, including the loss of two ships and Saavedra's death, the expedition, led by Pedro de Alvarado, returned to Spain in 1534 with only eight survivors. Their journey marked the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean from the Americas and contributed to the early Spanish exploration of the region.

Takeaways

• 🚢 In 1527, Hernan Cortes organized a new expedition to search for the missing fleet of the Losa Expedition, with his cousin Alvaro de Saavedra as the commander.
• 🌊 The true aim of the expedition was to explore new lands in the Pacific Ocean and to bring back spice plants.
• 🗓️ On October 31, 1527, the expedition set sail from Zio to Nejo Guerrero.
• 🌪️ On December 15, after sailing 1170 leagues, the Espiritu Santo and the Santiago were lost in a sudden squall and were never heard from again.
• 📍 On February 2, 1528, the La Florida sighted the Philippines and anchored at a small island off the north coast of Mindanao after 95 days and 1923 leagues of sailing.
• 🏆 This voyage made Saavedra the first navigator to cross the Pacific Ocean from the Americas.
• 🏰 On March 30, 1528, the La Florida arrived at Tito Ray, a Spanish stronghold in the Moluccas, where they joined forces with the remaining men from the Losa Expedition.
• ⚔️ They fought against the Portuguese in the neighboring Turnout Tent.
• 🛳️ On June 14, 1528, Saavedra set sail for New Spain (Mexico), but was diverted by the northeast trade winds back to the Moluccas.
• 🔄 On May 3, 1529, after Saavedra's death, Pedro de Alvarado took command and attempted to navigate back to the Americas but failed to find westerly winds.
• 💔 After the death of Lasso, they decided to return to the Malaccas, arriving next to T del Rey on December 8, 1529, where they were captured by the Portuguese and held for five years.
• 🏡 In 1534, the surviving eight members of the crew returned to Spain.

Q & A

Who was Hernan Cortes and what was his role in the 1527 expedition?

Hernan Cortes was a Spanish Conquistador who led the expedition to search for the missing fleet of the Losa expedition in 1527. He commissioned his cousin, Alvaro de Saavedra, to command the new expedition.

What was the real objective of the 1527 expedition led by Alvaro de Saavedra?

The true purpose of the 1527 expedition was to explore new lands in the South Sea, also known as the Pacific Ocean, and to bring back spice plants.

When did the expedition led by Alvaro de Saavedra set sail from Zio to Nejo Guerrero?

The expedition set sail from Zio to Nejo Guerrero on October 31, 1527.

What happened to the ships Espiritu Santo and Santiago during the expedition?

On December 15th, after having sailed 1170 leagues, the Espiritu Santo and the Santiago were swept away by a sudden squall and were never heard from again.

When and where did the La Florida, under the command of Saavedra, first sight the Philippines?

The La Florida first sighted the Philippines on February 2nd, 1528, and anchored at a small island off the north coast of Mindanao the following day.

How many leagues did the La Florida sail before reaching Tito Ray?

The La Florida sailed 1923 leagues before arriving at Tito Ray on March 30th, 1528.

What was the fate of the men from the Losa expedition that were found at Tito Ray?

The men remaining from the Losa expedition were found at Tito Ray and they joined Saavedra's crew to fight against the Portuguese in the neighboring Turnout.

Why did Saavedra set sail for New Spain, Mexico, on June 14, 1528?

Saavedra set sail for New Spain, Mexico, to carry out the instructions of the expedition and to provide further assistance to the Spaniards in T del Rey.

What difficulties did Saavedra's expedition face on their return journey to the Moluccas?

Saavedra's expedition was diverted by the northeast trade winds, which threw them back to the Moluccas, and they returned to T del Rey on November 19, 1528.

What happened to Alvaro de Saavedra during the second attempt to return to Spain?

During the second attempt, Alvaro de Saavedra died, and command was taken over by Pedro de Alvarado. They could not find westerly winds and decided to turn around and return to the Malaccas.

How long were the surviving members of Saavedra's crew held captive by the Portuguese after their return to T del Rey?

The surviving eight members of Saavedra's crew were held captive by the Portuguese for five years before they made it back to Spain in 1534.