In 1517 Ferdinand Magellan proposed to King Charles I of Spain for a fully funded expedition to find a western sea route to the Moluccas Islands. If Magellan could find an easy way through or around South America it would enable the Spanish to set up a profitable trade route with the Molaccas, known for its abundance of spices. On May 22,1518 King Charles I granted Magellan enough money to buy five ships. Over 250 men were divided …showed first 75 words of 497 total…

…showed last 75 words of 497 total…one other. On September 6, 1522 the final ship, the Victoria, with only 18 men returned to Spain with cloves it had picked up in Moluccas. The cloves were worth so much that Spain was repaid for the four lost ships and was able to profit. When Magellan died, by traveling west he had made it past his earlier eastward voyage. Magellan is known as the first man to travel around the world, proving it to be round.