Juan Sebastián Elcano

The Accidental Hero Who Actually Sailed Around the World

History tends to remember the big names—Columbus, Magellan, Cortés. But what about the guy who actually finished the first circumnavigation of the Earth? Enter Juan Sebastián Elcano, a Basque sailor who set out as a regular crewman and ended up leading one of the greatest voyages in history. He wasn’t supposed to be in charge, but when Magellan got himself speared to death in the Philippines, Elcano stepped up. What followed was an epic journey of survival, betrayal, and some seriously questionable dietary choices. His adventure, recorded in The First Voyage Around the World by Antonio Pigafetta, is a tale of grit, luck, and a whole lot of improvisation.

A Basque Sailor in the Wrong Place at the Right Time

Born in 1486 in Getaria, Spain, Elcano was a skilled navigator and sailor. Before joining Magellan’s expedition, he had a bit of a scandalous past—he was accused of illegally selling a ship to pay off debts. Needing to escape trouble, he signed up for the Spanish Crown’s ambitious plan to find a western route to the Spice Islands. Little did he know he’d end up being the one to bring the whole thing home.

From Crewman to Captain: The Art of Not Dying

Elcano started the voyage in 1519 as just one of 270 men. By the time he took command, most of those men were dead, deserted, or suffering from scurvy so bad their gums were falling off. The fleet, originally five ships strong, had been reduced to just the Victoria, the only vessel still floating after years of disasters, storms, and mutinies.

By the time Magellan got himself killed in the Philippines (because, for some reason, he thought 49 men could take on an entire island of warriors), the crew was exhausted. Leadership fell to a series of captains who kept getting themselves executed or abandoned, until, finally, Elcano found himself in charge. His mission? Get the remaining men home, avoid Portuguese patrols (who wanted them dead), and figure out how to survive months at sea with no food. Easy, right?

Eating Rats, Leather, and “Delicious” Sawdust

As Elcano’s crew crossed the Indian Ocean, they ran out of food. Things got desperate. According to Pigafetta (The First Voyage Around the World, p. 132), they ate rats, sawdust, and even leather from their belts and shoes, boiling it into something vaguely edible. One sailor reportedly said the rats tasted “better than anything else on board,” which tells you everything you need to know about their dining situation.

Despite this delightful menu, they pressed on, dodging Portuguese warships and disease.

Finally Home: The Hero Who Got No Respect

On September 6, 1522, after nearly three years at sea, Elcano and his remaining 17 crew members limped back into Spain. They were the first humans to circumnavigate the globe. The world had changed, but Spain barely noticed. King Charles I rewarded Elcano with a coat of arms featuring a globe and the words “Primus Circumdedisti Me” (First to circumnavigate me), which sounds fancy until you realize he didn’t get much else. No riches, no high-ranking position—just a fancy motto and a pat on the back.

Of course, Elcano being Elcano, he wasn’t done with adventure. He joined another expedition in 1525, trying to reach the Spice Islands again. Unfortunately, this time, he didn’t make it—he died of malnutrition somewhere in the Pacific. A tragic end for the man who, quite literally, proved the world was round.

Elcano’s Legacy: The Underrated Legend

Despite being the guy who actually completed the journey Magellan started, Elcano often gets overlooked. He didn’t have Magellan’s grand vision or self-destructive bravado, but he had something just as valuable—survival instincts. His ability to lead, adapt, and keep his crew (somewhat) alive turned what should have been a doomed mission into one of the most significant achievements in history.

So, the next time you hear about Magellan’s voyage, remember the guy who actually finished the job. And maybe, just maybe, raise a toast to Juan Sebastián Elcano—the accidental hero of the first trip around the world.