The Longest Journey: Setting Sail

About 500 years ago in Seville, Europe's long-awaited dream of reaching the unexplored, mythical lands of the Orient and the Spice Islands became a reality.
Ferdinand Magellan set off on his voyage in 1519, and three years later it became the longest voyage of the era: the first circumnavigation of the world was completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano, captain of the Victoria, and his crew in 1522.

Once the charters were signed, the King ordered the House of Trade (Casa de la Contratación) in Seville to get everything ready immediately for the voyage. The Spice Island Fleet was born—next came the complex task of making it a reality.
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Five carracks (merchant ships) were acquired for the voyage: the Trinidad, the Victoria, the Concepción, the Santiago, and the San Antonio. All the ships had to be repaired and readied for crossing the ocean on a voyage which, at the time, was expected to last two years.

The five ships needed were bought in Cádiz and Sanlúcar and then brought to Seville to ready them for the voyage. All the cargo needed for the voyage was then loaded onto the ships: from pieces of artillery and ammunition to plates, food supplies, and navigation instruments—and not to forget reserve merchandise, which was to be used for trading once they arrived at their destination.

The food supplies, provisions, and every technical and operational aspect of the Armada was carefully planned, ensuring the ships had everything required for journey. The expedition party had to have everything they might need to hand, especially when it came to entering unexplored territories.

Magellan secured funds from the Crown, the support of the House of Trade, and the ships he needed to get his quest underway, but he struggled to find men to accompany him on the voyage. The substantial risks, low pay, and mistrust of Magellan as a Portuguese captain were contributing factors.

As there were not enough volunteers, two extraordinary measures were taken: several navigators from the House of Trade were forced to enroll, and foreigners were allowed to join the crew.

In the morning, cannon-fire told the men it was time to leave. Hugs and kisses of farewell were lost among shouts from the boatswains as they called the crew to their posts. The fleet dropped sail and the land they knew disappeared from view.

The creaking of the ship as it charged into the waves for the first time echoed in the sailors' ears as they set sail, their hearts full of dreams and doubt: they were starting on a voyage that had never before been undertaken.