Loaísa Expedition Reaches Pacific Coast (1526)

In July 1526, the Santiago from García Jofre de Loaísa's expedition reached the Pacific coast of Mexico, marking the first navigation from Europe to the western coast of North America. Fifty survivors remained aboard the vessel following the long voyage.

Episodes

Background and detail

Expedition Context. The Loaísa expedition was a Spanish voyage of discovery ordered by King Charles I to colonize the Spice Islands. Commanded by García Jofre de Loaísa, the fleet sailed from La Coruña in July 1525, becoming the second naval expedition to cross the Pacific Ocean after the Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation.

Pacific Crossing. After passing through the Strait of Magellan in May 1526, the diminished fleet entered the Pacific. The Santiago sailed north on a 10,000-kilometre voyage, eventually reaching the Pacific coast of Mexico in July 1526. This achievement represented the first navigation from Europe to the western coast of North America.

Survivors and Aftermath. Fifty people survived the journey on the Santiago. Some of these survivors later participated in the expedition commanded by Álvaro de Saavedra, which crossed the Pacific between 1527 and 1529. Other survivors were rescued in 1528 by Saavedra's expedition coming from Mexico.

People involved

Sources

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