Nao Trinidad Visit to St. Augustine

About the Nao Trinidad

The flagship of the Magellan-Elcano expedition, the Nao Trinidad, played a pivotal role in the historic circumnavigation of the world between 1519 and 1522, marking one of the most remarkable maritime achievements in history. This expedition, the first of its kind, not only encircled the globe but also forged new maritime routes, connected diverse continents and oceans, and introduced the expedition members to the cultures and societies they encountered along their epic journey. Their voyage took them through Brazil, Argentina, the Mariana Islands, the Philippine Islands, Indonesia, Brunei, and Timor.

Departing from Seville, Spain, on August 10th, 1519, the Trinidad led a fleet of five ships. Under its guidance, the expedition crossed the Atlantic Ocean, followed the South American coastline, discovered the famed Strait of Magellan, and ventured into the uncharted waters of the Pacific Ocean, marking a historic first. Along the way, they reached the Mariana Islands, the Philippines, and the Moluccas, where the fate of the flagship Trinidad took an unexpected turn.

After over two years at sea and thousands of nautical miles covered, the Trinidad suffered a catastrophic hull breach, rendering it incapable of returning to Spain alongside the expedition's sole surviving vessel, the Victoria. The Victoria did manage to complete the First Sailing Around the World a few months later, while the Trinidad faced its most daunting challenges.

Undeterred by the damage, the Trinidad attempted to make its way back to Spain by sailing eastward, with 54 crew members aboard. However, it encountered formidable headwinds and currents that thwarted its progress. Ultimately, the ship was forced to sail northward, reaching the 42nd parallel north, where it narrowly survived a violent storm that nearly led to its destruction. The ship and its crew endured extreme cold, hunger, thirst, and scurvy throughout this ordeal.

After six months of relentless struggle against the elements, the Trinidad reluctantly returned to the Moluccas with only 17 survivors. There, they were met by the Portuguese, who captured the beleaguered crew and abandoned the battered ship in those waters. Exhausted and heavily damaged, the Trinidad met its final demise in those unforgiving seas.