History From the Archives Episode 3: VICTORIA, The ship that circumnavigated the world

Summary

This episode of 'History from the Archives' delves into the history of the Victoria, the only ship from Magellan's expedition to return to Spain after circumnavigating the globe. Named after a church in Seville, the ship's origins were a mystery until a document revealed it was owned by a Basque family and was bought by the Spanish king for 800 ducats. Despite initial skepticism about its seaworthiness, it completed the journey and was later sold for 285 ducats. The ship met a tragic end when it wrecked on a return trip to Spain, with all crew members perishing.

Takeaways

• 🚢 The Victoria was the only ship from Magellan's expedition that completed the circumnavigation of the globe.
• 📜 The Victoria was named after Santa Maria de la Victoria, a church in Seville's sailors district.
• 🏛️ The ship was originally owned by a family in the Basque region, with the father being a ship pilot.
• 💼 The ship was acquired by the King of Spain through negotiation facilitated by the Casa de Contratación de las Indias.
• 💵 The Victoria was bought for 800 ducats in gold, which the owners considered too low.
• 📊 Among the five ships of the expedition, the Victoria was the second most expensive, after the San Antonio.
• 🕵️ The Portuguese Council of Seville, Sebastian Alvarez, provided a report to King Manuel of Portugal describing the poor condition of the ships.
• 🌍 On September 8, 1522, the Victoria returned to Seville with 18 survivors of the expedition.
• 🔄 After its return, the Victoria was sold by the king and eventually bought by an Italian named Steven Centurion for 285 ducats.
• 🚣 The ship was later used as a transport vessel to South America but met its end in a shipwreck on its second trip back to Spain.

Q & A

What is the name of the ship that brought the survivors of the Magellan expedition back to Spain?

The ship was named Victoria.

What was the significance of the ship Victoria in the Magellan expedition?

The Victoria was significant because it was the only ship that completed the circumnavigation of the world and brought the survivors back to Spain.

Where was the ship Victoria named after?

The ship was named after Santa Maria de la Victoria, a church in the sailors' district of 16th-century Seville, called Triana.

Who were the original owners of the ship Victoria?

The ship was originally owned by a family, with the father named Domingo the Apalua, a ship pilot, and his son Pedro de Arres Hidalgo, both residents of Ondarua.

How was the ship Victoria acquired by the King of Spain?

The ship was acquired by the King of Spain through negotiations by a representative of the Casa de Contratación de las Indias, which is the trading house of Spain.

How much was the ship Victoria bought for by the King of Spain?

The ship Victoria was bought for 800 ducats in gold, which was approximately 300,000 maravedis.

What was the role of Sebastian del Cano in the acquisition of the ship Victoria?

Sebastian del Cano, a resident of Guetaria, likely informed the officials of the Casa de Contratación about the ships available in the neighboring town, which may have led to the acquisition of the Victoria.

What was the condition of the Victoria according to the Portuguese council of Seville?

The Portuguese council of Seville reported that the Victoria and the other ships were very old and in poor condition, patched up and not suitable for long voyages.

How many survivors did the Victoria bring back to Spain after the Magellan expedition?

The Victoria brought back 18 survivors, although the exact number is uncertain as there may have been unlisted prisoners among them.

What happened to the ship Victoria after it returned from the expedition?

After returning, the Victoria was sold by the King of Spain through public bidding and was eventually bought by an Italian named Esteban Centurion for 285 ducats.

What was the final fate of the ship Victoria?

The ship Victoria was used as a transport vessel to South America but suffered a shipwreck on its second trip back to Spain, with all the crew perishing.