On late December 1521, the Victoria departed the Moluccas with 60 men—47 Europeans and 13 Moluccans, including pilots guiding them as far as Timor. Unlike the Portuguese, who maintained fortified trade networks across the Indian Ocean, Elcano’s crew faced isolation and the threat of pursuit from the Portuguese fleets ordered to intercept them. From Timor, the Victoria sailed west into open seas. The ship’s survival hinged on rationing, constant vigilance against leaks, and steering clear of Portuguese patrols. After six harrowing months, the Victoria reached Cape Roxo on the West African coast. Though far from safe, this marked a critical milestone: by crossing the path of the fleet’s outbound journey, they had just completed the world’s first circumnavigation.